THE Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA) has found that long COVID has affected more than one in 25 Australians, leaving 1.5 million at risk of long-term chronic illness.
AHHA chief executive, Kylie Woolcock, said the condition is a growing public health challenge.
“The true burden of this condition on our healthcare system is not well understood and is likely underestimated, meaning that care and support resources cannot be allocated appropriately,” she said.
Ms Woolcock has also raised concerns surrounding the varying definitions of long COVID, and that Australia does not qualify the condition as a disability, which is proving harmful with those with the condition.