UCSD Study Links Mental Health History to Long COVID Risk in Older Women

Researchers find older women with a combined history of depression and anxiety face 78% higher risk of long COVID complications.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:55am

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A new study from the University of California San Diego found that older women with a history of both depression and anxiety had a 78% higher risk of developing long COVID after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study, published in the journal Menopause, also found that higher anxiety scores and elevated stress levels increased the likelihood of long COVID symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. Additionally, women with long-term depression or both depression and anxiety were less likely to follow COVID-19 safety protocols like mask-wearing and social distancing.

Why it matters

This study highlights the vulnerability of people experiencing mental health issues to other diseases and their potential challenges in following public health guidelines. The findings underscore the importance of addressing mental health as part of the overall pandemic response, especially for high-risk populations like older women.

The details

The study analyzed data from the Women's Health Initiative, a long-term national study focusing on the health of postmenopausal women in the United States. Researchers found that while women with a combined history of depression and anxiety did not have higher SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, their risk of long COVID complications increased by 78%. The study also found that higher anxiety scores and elevated stress levels raised the odds of long COVID symptoms.

  • The study was published on January 27, 2026 in the online edition of the journal Menopause.
  • The Women's Health Initiative study, which provided the data for this research, began in the early 1990s and is currently in its third extension (2020-2027).
  • The average participant in the study was 83 years old, and 414 participants met the criteria for long COVID.

The players

Wael Al-Delaimy

Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego and the senior author of the study.

William Bruno

Associate physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and a co-author of the study.

Women's Health Initiative

A long-term national study that began in the early 1990s, focusing on the health of postmenopausal women in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Some people have only anxiety. Some have only depression. When these conditions occur together, they usually indicate more severe mental illness.”

— Wael Al-Delaimy, Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego (Menopause)

“We hope that by characterizing these mental health risk factors public health officials and policymakers can target preventative measures to those with the greatest need.”

— William Bruno, Associate physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the UC San Diego School of Medicine (Menopause)

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue studying the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and physical health of older women through the ongoing Women's Health Initiative study.

The takeaway

This study underscores the importance of addressing mental health as part of the overall pandemic response, especially for vulnerable populations like older women. By understanding the links between mental health history and long COVID risk, public health officials can better target preventative measures and support services to those most in need.