Persistent post COVID-19: Implications for women’s health research and policy from members of the Women’s Health Expert Panel of the American Academy of Nursing

Background

Despite that globally the percent of women and men who tested positive for COVID-19 appears equal and that men with COVID-19 were 60% more likely than women to be severely ill and to die from complications (Rozenberg et al., 2020), studies of sex differences show that women compared with men are more likely to manifest persistent post-COVID-19 syndrome (PPCS).

Purpose

In this paper, we address some of the extant evidence for impact of the PPCS on women’s health and well-being to underpin our suggestions for research and policy considerations.

Methods

We assessed key papers in the extant literature to formulate views on needed health-related research and policies.

Discussion

We discuss how key PPCS manifestations vary by sex, resemble sequelae uncovered for other chronically fatiguing or serious postinfectious trauma conditions, influence women’s reproductive health (e.g., menstrual cycle, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause transition), impair women’s social function and economic productivity, and challenge what is required for influential treatment and prevention.

Conclusion

To inform effective diagnosis, management and prevention of the significantly prevalent and debilitating PPCS, high on research and policy agendas should be uncovering multidimensional evidence of the impact on women, especially on their overall and reproductive health, well-being, social function and economic productivity.