COVID Impacts

Long COVID: Household Pulse Survey Data

As part of an ongoing partnership with the Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) recently added questions to assess the prevalence of post-COVID-19 conditions (long COVID), on the experimental Household Pulse Survey. This 20-minute online survey was designed to complement the ability of the federal statistical system to rapidly respond and provide relevant information about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Data collection began on April 23, 2020.

Questions on post-COVID conditions (long COVID) were also included on the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in 2022.  The NHIS, conducted by NCHS, is the major source for high-quality data used to monitor the nation’s health. NHIS data collection will continue through December 2023.

• Beginning in Phase 3.5 (on June 1, 2022), NCHS included questions about the presence of symptoms of COVID that lasted three months or longer. 
• Beginning in Phase 3.6 (on September 14, 2022), NCHS included a question about whether long-term symptoms among those reporting symptoms lasting three months or longer reduced the ability to carry out day-to-day activities compared with the time before having COVID-19.  Phase 3.6 will continue with a two-weeks on, two-weeks off collection and dissemination approach.

State Estimates

Data Source

The U.S. Census Bureau, in collaboration with multiple federal agencies, launched the Household Pulse Survey to produce data on the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on American households.  The Household Pulse Survey was designed to gauge the impact of the pandemic on employment status, consumer spending, food security, housing, education disruptions, and dimensions of physical and mental wellness.

The survey was designed to meet the goal of accurate and timely weekly estimates. It was conducted by an internet questionnaire, with invitations to participate sent by email and text message. The sample frame is the Census Bureau Master Address File Data. Housing units linked to one or more email addresses or cell phone numbers were randomly selected to participate, and one respondent from each housing unit was selected to respond for him or herself. Estimates are weighted to adjust for nonresponse and to match Census Bureau estimates of the population by age, sex, race and ethnicity, and educational attainment.

Estimates on this page are derived from the Household Pulse Survey and show the following outcomes for adults aged 18 and over:

1. The percentage of all U.S. adults who EVER experienced post-COVID conditions (long COVID). These adults had COVID and had some symptoms that lasted three months or longer.
2. The percentage of adults who EVER experienced post-COVID conditions (long COVID) among those who ever having COVID .
3. The percentage of all U.S. adults who are CURRENTLY experiencing post-COVID conditions (long COVID). These adults had COVID, had long-term symptoms, and are still experiencing symptoms.
4. The percentage of adults who are CURRENTLY experiencing post-COVID conditions (long COVID) among those who ever had COVID.

Beginning in Phase 3.6:

5. The percentage of any activity limitations (either ‘yes, a little’ or ‘yes, a lot’ responses) from long COVID, among adults who are currently experiencing long COVID and among all adults
6. The percentage of significant activity limitations (‘yes, a lot’ response) from long COVID, among adults who are currently experiencing long COVID and among all adults

The percentage of all U.S. adults who ever said they had COVID is also included to provide context for the other percentages. It should be noted that the percentage of adults who said they ever had COVID based on the Household Pulse Survey is lower than other estimates based on seroprevalence studies.

Completed Phases