Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Dec 1;67(12):1060-1068.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003497. Epub 2025 Jul 16.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Long COVID Among California Workers Captured by a Doctor's First Report-Based Surveillance System

David Wambui  1 , Martha Fiellin, Claire Majka, Carolina Espineli, Jennifer Flattery, Ximena Vergara
Affiliations

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Long COVID Among California Workers Captured by a Doctor's First Report-Based Surveillance System

David Wambui et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To understand prevalence and risk factors for long COVID among California workers.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we analyzed 4496 Doctor's First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness (DFRs) used for tracking work-related COVID-19 exposure or illnesses. Logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors.

Results: With a prevalence of 11%, long COVID cases were slightly higher among male workers, workers aged between 45 and 54 years, and those in essential industries. Over 30 days of lost work was 13 times more prevalent among long COVID cases compared to acute cases. Age, presenting symptoms, and working in mixed essential industries increased long COVID risk.

Conclusion: These findings highlight long COVID burden on workers' health and productivity. Proactive measures are crucial to safeguard workers' health.

Keywords: long COVID; occupational health; post-acute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2; surveillance; workers.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

References

    1. Martín Sánchez FJ, Martínez-Sellés M, Molero García JM, et al. Insights for COVID-19 in 2023. Rev Esp Quimioter 2023;36:114–124.
    1. The Lancet. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2023: far From over. Lancet 2023;401:79.
    1. State of California—COVID-19 Time-Series Metrics by County and State (ARCHIVED). Available at: https://data.gov . Accessed August 12, 2024.
    1. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): post COVID-19 condition. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/coronavirus-dis... . Accessed July 31, 2023
    1. California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Post-COVID conditions (Long COVID). Available at: https://covid19.ca.gov/long-covid/ . Accessed July 31, 2023.