Occupational Factors Can Increase Risk of Long COVID

Data from a population-based cohort study demonstrate several occupational factors that can increase the risk of long COVID, including close contact with colleagues and the public, little social distancing at the workplace, and commuting by public transport. The results, published by investigators from the Barcelona Institute of Global Health in BMJ Occupational & Environmental Medicine, show that targeted workplace measures could help prevent a significant portion of long COVID cases.^1,2

What Occupational Factors Are Associated With Long COVID?

The study authors analyzed a cohort of patients from the COVICAT epidemiological study to examine the association between occupational determinants and long COVID. They specifically analyzed patients with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection who were employed during the pandemic and had available occupational information.^1,3

A total of 2054 workers (1308 women, 746 men) were included, of which 486 (23.7%) developed long COVID. According to all metrics, workers in jobs at the highest COVID-19 risk, such as health/social care, education, retail, transport, and security, had a demonstrably higher risk of long COVID.¹

Specific occupational factors were identified as being main drivers of increased risk. These included having close contact with colleagues and members of the public (risk ratio [RR] up to 1.50; 95% CI, 1.18–1.91), no social distance at the workplace (RR, up to 1.46; 95% CI, 1.16–1.84), rare or no use of face masks (RR, up to 1.41; 95% CI, 1.09–1.83), and commuting via public transport (RR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.20–2.08).¹

Workers who were on-site during the pandemic also had a correspondingly higher risk of long COVID compared with teleworking (RR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.19–2.09). A series of individual, non-occupational risk factors were also identified, including female sex, comorbidities, obesity, and the number and severity of acute infections. Contrastingly, vaccination and being at an older age—and perhaps feeling a greater perceived need to vaccinate—were protective.¹

“Occupational factors have been associated with incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. But the occupational determinants of long COVID are largely unknown,” Kurt Straif, study coordinator and researcher at the Barcelona Institute of Global Health, said in the news release. This gap in knowledge highlighted the need for the present research, which affirms that occupational determinants can play a significant role in the development of long COVID.^1,2

“These results are consistent with emerging international evidence and suggest several mechanisms through which occupational exposures may shape Long-COVID development,” Sara de Matteis, first author of the study and researcher at the University of Turin, continued. This data could alter public health guidance given by care professionals across the country, who can now counsel patients on the inherent risk that specific occupations can bring regarding long COVID development.^1,2

How Can Solutions Be Implemented?

As for specific solutions, additional workplace measures, including providing adequate personal protective equipment and implementing strategies to reduce close contact, can not only prevent current infection but reduce the risk of long-term complications. Magnolis Kogevinas, a researcher at the Barcelona Institute of Global Health and co-author of the study, noted that the modifiable nature of occupational risk factors presents a unique opportunity to meaningfully reduce the prevalence of long COVID.^1,2

“Because occupational risk factors are modifiable, our findings mean that much of the associated Long-COVID burden could be avoided with targeted measures,” Kogevinas said in the news release.²

Pharmacists can explain to patients the specific actions they can take to reduce their risk of long COVID. Patients can take personal initiative in ensuring they are not in close contact with others on a consistent basis and reduce their exposure to the public. If allowed to by their employer, they could bring their own personal protective equipment or face mask. Above all, frequent handwashing and refraining from touching your face or mouth while at the workplace are commonsense strategies patients can implement to reduce their risk of COVID-19 and future long COVID.

REFERENCES

1. Matteis SD, Consonni D, Espinosa A, et al. Occupational determinants of long COVID in the population-based COVICAT cohort. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Published Online December 5, 2025. doi:10.1136/oemed-2025-110398

2. Occupational factors strongly influence long-COVID risk. News Release. ISGlobal. Released December 16, 2025. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.isglobal.org/en/-/long-covid-ocupacional

3. COVICAT epidemiological study. IGTP. Accessed December 18, 2025. https://www.germanstrias.org/en/projects-covid-19/covicat/