Delaware journal of public healthOct 28, 2026

Neighborhood social factors alone poorly predict long COVID signs using common prediction models

Updated Oct 29, 2026

Abstract

An estimated 6.7% of Delaware adults self-reported symptoms consistent with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

24.5% of Delaware adults with PASC reported significant activity limitations.
PASC is defined as symptoms lasting 3 months or more after COVID-19 infection.
Disparities in poverty, food insecurity, and health care access exist at the county level in Delaware.
The impact of neighborhood-level non-medical health factors on identifying areas with high PASC prevalence is unclear.
Addressing PASC may require targeted resources for those most in need.

Simplified

Early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, acute mortality and hospitalization showed marked disparities across socially disadvantaged groups. In some cases, individuals who initially tested positive for Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) also began to experience lingering symptoms after initially recovering from SARS-CoV-2. At the time of the 2023 BRFSS survey the CDC defined PASC as self-report of any symptoms lasting ≥3 months at the time of interview that were not present before having COVID-19. An estimated 6.7% of Delaware adults self-reported symptoms consistent with PASC and 24.5% of those Delawareans reported significant activity limitations. This condition is a chronic disease and the Delaware State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) has established a priority outcome to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. One of the goals of SHIP is to promote a combination of methods to support and identify chronic diseases and support healthy outcomes, these goals tie directly to non-medical health factors. Although there are notable poverty, food insecurity and health care access disparities at the county level in Delaware, it remains unclear whether neighborhood-level non-medical health factors alone can identify areas with high PASC prevalence so those the most in need can receive targeted resources to address this chronic condition.

Neighborhood social factors alone poorly predict long COVID signs using common prediction models

Abstract

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