Long COVID Effects on Immigrants in the United States

Objective(s): The purpose of this review of the literature was to examine how post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC), Long COVID, has impacted the health and well-being of immigrants in the United States. Health conditions of various types disproportionately impact ethnic minorities, especially those who are immigrants. Identifying the implications of this unique intersection in the literature may highlight necessary rehabilitation interventions and areas for future research.

Data Sources: Electronic research databases were used to solicit articles from March 2020 onward that were published in English, using the following search terms: ("Long COVID") AND (immigrant). This search amounted to 263 results.

Study Selection: Sole reviewer article inclusionary criteria: empirical research or conceptual research as journal articles, dissertations, theses, and papers; and investigations into the intersection of Long COVID and U.S. immigrant status. One hundred twenty-two (122) articles were excluded upon abstract review. Full-text review resulted in the exclusion of an additional 131 articles, with 10 remaining for data extraction.

Data Extraction: Independent data extraction resulted in the charting of evidence according to whether immigrants with Long COVID in the United States was the focus of the research or only an aspect of the article’s discussion.

Data Synthesis: Of the 10 articles, one documented research that focused on the post-COVID and Long COVID experiences of individuals in the United States, some of whom were immigrants. Data specific to immigrants was not extrapolated by the researchers, yet nearly 20% of participants utilized interpreters to complete the survey. The other 9 articles researched other topics, yet mentioned some implications on research and treatment of Long COVID among immigrants.

Conclusions: The one applicable article reported experiences with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder with avoidance behaviors, stigma, isolation, and premature aging, along with housing, employment, and financial issues. Notable conclusions regarding future interventions from the other 9 articles included attention to the need for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, minimizing health injustices exacerbated by intersectionality among minoritized groups, mitigation of language barriers, highlighting the phenomenon of youth caregivers, addressing the co-occurrence of mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, disordered eating), rehabilitation professionals’ allyship with community stakeholders, and support for those whose professional work was essential during COVID. Research is needed in the U.S that explores how immigrant experiences with Long COVID differ from those of non-immigrants. These factors can inform policy, research, teaching, and rehabilitation treatment/service provision.

Author(s) Disclosures: Nothing to disclose.