Thursday, 2 March 2023, 14:00–15:30 (UTC/GMT+1 or CET)

Languages: Simultaneous interpretation in English, French, German and Spanish (Simultaneous interpretation – Frequently asked questions)

While the full picture of long COVID is still emerging, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that 10–20 per cent of people who develop COVID-19, experience a variety of mid and long-term effects like fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive dysfunction (for example, confusion, forgetfulness, or a lack of mental focus and clarity). Post COVID-19 condition, or long COVID, refers to long-term symptoms that some people experience after having been ill with COVID-19. Patients can experience a variety of problems with normal functioning, such as limitations in self-care, mobility and return to work. Prolonged suffering due to long COVID can also impact psychological well-being and mental health.

This webinar will look at recent developments on how social security institutions contribute to addressing the increased rehabilitation needs in the best way possible. It will show the first results of the international survey on long COVID conducted by the ISSA Working Group on Rehabilitation.  collecting data on service provision for COVID-19 patients in acute, post-acute and long-term rehabilitative care, on the financing aspects, standards of assessment and existing gaps.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will share their recent findings with estimations of the impact of long COVID on the labour market and on Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) will highlight the work addressed on the three goals – the 3Rs – calling upon governments and health authorities to focus attention on long COVID through greater recognition, research and evidence-based rehabilitation.

Join us for this ISSA Webinar on rehabilitation, the seventh of a series of webinars organized in collaboration with the ISSA Working Group on Rehabilitation, on various aspects of this major challenge related to the ISSA’s four triennial topical priorities.

Speakers

	Dr Susanne Weinbrenner, Head, Social Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, German Federal Pension Insurance (DRV Bund), Germany and Chair of the ISSA Working Group on Rehabilitation
	Elina Suzuki, Health Policy Analyst, Health Division, Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD
	Dr Satish Mishra, Technical Officer, Disability, Rehabilitation, Palliative and Long-Term Care Services, WHO/Europe

This webinar will examine the following questions:

• The first results of the international survey show the complexity of long COVID. What are the common findings regarding rehabilitation services, the financing aspects, standards of assessment and existing gaps?
• Rehabilitation services should be developed as an integral part of the model of care for people with long COVID, and aim at reducing the physical, cognitive and mental health impacts of the disease. Which strategies and services have proven to be most efficient?
• How can return to work policies be adapted to the changes in the world of work, to face the challenge of long COVID?

Agenda

• Welcome by Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, ISSA Secretary General
• International Survey on long COVID – First results
• The expertise from OECD
• The expertise from WHO
• Q&A – Panel discussion
• Conclusions

Moderated by Raúl Ruggia-Frick, Director, Social Security Development Branch, ISSA

Practical information

The webinar is open to delegates of ISSA member organizations and invited institutions without registration fee.