Latino farmworkers face high rates of long COVID but barriers delay diagnosis

Latino farmworkers in the US are disproportionately affected by long COVID, with a University of Washington study finding 41.2% of agricultural workers experiencing symptoms. The study defines long COVID as an illness with symptoms appearing within three months of a COVID-19 infection and lasting at least two months. Delayed access to vaccines and vaccine hesitancy contributed to the disparities, with concerns about side effects, fears of contracting COVID-19 from the vaccine, and distrust of the government cited as reasons for initial vaccine avoidance. Diagnosis is also hindered by limited access to healthcare and long waitlists at specialized clinics, with the University of Washington's Long COVID clinic having a waitlist due to its limited seven providers. Farmworkers often reside in areas far from the clinic, further complicating access to care. The clinic diagnoses long COVID based on symptoms and timeline relative to COVID-19 infection, as there is no specific blood test or imaging test for the condition.