Health disparities in long COVID among racialized populations in British Columbia: Synthesizing evidence from linked health administrative data

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected Canada, with ~80% of the population estimated to have been infected by the virus. Many individuals are expected to experience long-term effects, known as long COVID, which has become a major concern for the Canadian healthcare system. The pandemic has also exacerbated existing social and health disparities among racialized communities, revealing long-standing issues rooted in systemic racism and inequities. Racialized groups, already burdened by structural and socioeconomic inequities and higher prevalence of chronic diseases, may also face disparities related to long COVID. Barriers to healthcare access such as systemic, socioeconomic and linguistic factors, can further worsen these disparities. This study aims to generate a comprehensive understanding on health disparities related to long COVID in racialized communities in Canada. Specifically, we aim to 1) identify distribution and characteristics of long COVID by ethnicity in British Columbia (BC), 2) assess healthcare access/utilization for long COVID, and 3) measure long-term outcomes such as recovery, persistence and mortality related to long COVID. We will also estimate the disease burden of long COVID. To do this, we will use data from the BC COVID-19 Cohort, which integrates individual-level information on all BC residents, including COVID-19 testing and cases, vaccinations, medical visits, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, pharmacy dispensations, and sociodemographic characteristics. This comprehensive dataset will provide valuable insights into ethnic disparities related to long COVID in BC, and contribute to a broader understanding of health disparities in Canada. The findings of this study will inform public health efforts in prioritizing healthcare needs, empower communities to enhance their service programming and patient education, with the ultimate goal of improving support and health equity for all individuals affected by long COVID in Canada.