Long COVID represents an important public health and psychological challenge that extends beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Its epidemiological investigation includes examining prevalence, risk factors, and the functional and psychological consequences of the disease. This chapter emphasizes that the epidemiological understanding of long COVID depends not only on its prevalence in the population but also on how the condition is defined and measured. Differences in long COVID definitions, time thresholds, and measurement approaches contribute to substantial variability in prevalence estimates across studies, limiting the comparability of epidemiological findings. Particular importance is placed on incorporating functional impairment and mental health into the definition of long COVID, as the mere presence of symptoms does not adequately capture the overall burden of the condition. In a representative survey of the working-age adult population in Slovenia conducted in 2023, 29.5% of participants met the defined criteria for long COVID. Higher prevalence was observed among women, younger adults, and individuals experiencing greater economic hardship. The most frequently reported symptoms included fatigue, reduced physical capacity, and musculoskeletal pain, while persistent cognitive difficulties and sleep disturbances were particularly prominent, substantially affecting daily functioning and work ability. The chapter further argues that the epidemiological assessment of long COVID remains incomplete if it focuses solely on physical symptoms without also considering psychological functioning, well-being, and functional outcomes. Standardized epidemiological monitoring, multidisciplinary care, and interventions are needed to reduce physical symptoms while also addressing cognitive and emotional functioning, psychological well-being, and individuals’ adjustment to the long-term consequences of the illness.
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