Lay summary
Little is known or understood about the impact of long COVID among Pacific families living in New Zealand. The WHO definition of long COVID is ongoing symptoms at 3 months and beyond. A New Zealand COVID study (Russell et al, 2022) found Pacific participants identified persistent symptoms beyond 1 month after initial infection displaying multiple symptoms including severe fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of smell. In the absence of an agreed definition, Pacific families doubted their ongoing COVID symptoms related to the virus, reinforced by health professionals who dismissed family concerns. The study also found the risk of long COVID was higher among people with pre-existing heart disease or a high BMI – identified serious health issues that are prevalent among Pacific peoples (Ministry of Health, 2021). Pacific researchers will undertake network meetings to identify research priorities and undertake a comprehensive and systematic literature review to inform further research.