Research from King’s College London reveals that social factors such as education level, financial stability, and the areas where people live played a significant role in whether individuals reported recovery from the virus more than a year after infection.

The research analyzed data from over 3,800 participants across two UK cohorts: the COVID Symptom Study Biobank and TwinsUK. Using a questionnaire, participants were asked if they still had symptoms after having COVID-19.

The findings were published in BMJ Public Health.

Analyses revealed that participants with fewer social and economic advantages at the start of the pandemic were more likely to have ongoing symptoms. Women with lower education levels living in the most deprived areas had the lowest predicted probability of recovery, while men with higher education levels in less deprived areas were the most likely to feel fully recovered.

Recovery rates varied between 73% and 90% in TwinsUK, and between 55% and 80% in the COVID Symptom Study Biobank, which had a larger proportion of people with long COVID.

The inequalities in recovery were not explained by pre-existing health conditions but instead linked to broader social disadvantages. Financial and employment instability during the pandemic further contributed to poorer outcomes, suggesting that the impact of COVID-19 extended beyond physical health to economic and social well-being.

Dr. Nathan Cheetham, Senior Postdoctoral Data Scientist at King’s College London and lead author of the paper, explains, “Inequalities in health between people who are more or less advantaged within society aren’t new, but this study is the first to look at the association between multiple socio-demographic factors and recovery from COVID-19.

“It’s very likely that social factors also influence the ability to recover from other illnesses and manage other long-term conditions, which makes addressing social disadvantage even more crucial.”

This research adds to growing evidence that health outcomes are shaped by social factors, reinforcing the need for policies that address health care access and economic inequality.

The findings come at a time when many people are still living with the long-term effects of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of continued support for those struggling to recover.

Professor Claire Steves, Professor of Aging and Health at King’s College London and senior author on the paper, said, “This research emphasizes how social factors affect long-term health outcomes. Disadvantaged groups don’t just experience more severe illness—they also face additional challenges when it comes to recovery.”

Dr. Cheetham and the team are building on these findings by investigating how different social backgrounds influenced people’s experiences of health care during the pandemic. Early results suggest that those in more deprived areas had greater difficulty accessing care, particularly for long COVID, with access to GP appointments being the most common barrier.

With this additional work, the team hopes to provide further insight into how inequalities in health care access may have affected long-term recovery from COVID-19.