Perceived discrimination as a modifier of health, disease, and medicine: empirical data from the COVID-19 pandemic

This study investigated the prevalence and types of lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection, focusing on the role of social determinants of health such as perceived discrimination and economic stress. 1,584 recovered COVID-19 patients reported on their medical and psychosocial experiences. Path analyses revealed that perceived discrimination predicted increased illness severity and lasting symptom count, independent of other factors. This effect was specific to stress related to discrimination, not general stress. Perceptions of medical care quality also influenced these relationships. Early infection was linked to more severe illness and lasting symptoms. The study highlights the high prevalence of lasting symptoms after COVID-19, the significant impact on neural systems, and the exacerbating role of psychosocial factors.

Moriah E. Thomason, Cassandra L. Hendrix, Denise Werchan, Natalie H. Brito