This chapter examines Long COVID as a multifaceted public health challenge extending far beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Drawing on international research and Slovenian data (the SI-PANDA study), the authors analyse five domains: morbidity and mortality, healthcare system burden, the labour market, social determinants of health, and education. Findings indicate that long COVID significantly diminishes quality of life, increasing the prevalence of mental health issues and chronic conditions. While mortality risk for long COVID patients who were non-hospitalized at the acute phase of COVID-19 stabilizes after 12 months, it remains elevated for those with severe acute illness. A pivotal insight is that the majority of long COVID cases stem from initially mild infections, making it a significant population-wide burden. Healthcare systems face increased costs (up to threefold in the first six months) and challenges due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria. In the labour market, long COVID leads to higher absenteeism and double the risk of employment exit compared to other chronic conditions. In education, long COVID hinders cognitive development and exacerbates social inequalities among youth. The authors conclude that primary prevention of acute illness remains essential, alongside systemic multidisciplinary support and efforts to reduce the social stigma of long COVID.
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