Abstract Background Since 2021, the Rutgers Barnabas Health Long COVID Recovery Program—based at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School—has provided multidisciplinary care for individuals experiencing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Long COVID has evolved into a socioeconomic as well as a clinical crisis, amplifying disparities in employment, housing, and healthcare access. This study examines social determinants of health (SDOH), financial strain, and disability-related economic impact among participants. Methods Data were collected from 1, 043 patients enrolled between 2021 and 2024 using a structured SDOH questionnaire. The primary variable assessed was financial strain (“How hard is it for you to pay for the basics like food, housing, medical care, and heating? ”). Responses were categorized as not hard at all, somewhat hard, or very hard. Disability status—including short-term, long-term, and workplace accommodation needs—was self-reported. Demographic characteristics and healthcare utilization patterns were analyzed descriptively. Results Among 1, 043 respondents (9. 9% missing), 59. 9% reported not hard at all, 28. 0% somewhat hard, and 12. 1% very hard to afford basic needs, indicating that roughly 40% experienced financial hardship. One in four participants reported disability-related limitations resulting in reduced work hours, early retirement, or workplace accommodations. Individuals with financial strain more frequently reported barriers to specialty care, rehabilitation, and behavioral-health services. Qualitative comments described ongoing difficulty affording medications, transportation, and household utilities. Economic Impact Lost annual wages among disabled or under-employed participants were estimated at 35, 000-60, 000 per person. When extrapolated across the New Jersey workforce, this translates to approximately 200-300 million in annual productivity losses. Additional costs stemmed from increased healthcare utilization and dependence on social-support programs. These findings reveal that Long COVID imposes substantial direct and indirect economic burdens on patients, families, and health systems. Conclusion Nearly two in five Long COVID patients experience measurable financial hardship, and one in four report disability-related work limitations. The Rutgers Barnabas Health program demonstrates that recovery models integrating medical care with SDOH screening, disability navigation, and financial counseling are critical to restoring function and preventing long-term economic displacement. Addressing both clinical and socioeconomic determinants of recovery is essential for equitable, sustainable Long COVID care delivery. This abstract is funded by: None
Mehta et al. (Fri,) studied this question.