"2023: The Evolution of COVID Response in the U.S."

As the U.S. emerged from the three-year COVID nightmare and entered a tentative new normal in 2023, disparities in the healthcare system resurfaced, with people's access to COVID-related tests, vaccines, and treatments once again dictated by their health insurance. While some resumed normal life, others felt left behind, including those living with compromised immune systems, long COVID, or grief. Researchers made progress in understanding long COVID but no proven cures have been found. The rollout of updated COVID vaccines and boosters faced low demand, raising concerns about a possible surge in serious illness. The CDC shifted its data collection focus from case counts to monitoring wastewater for COVID trends. The pandemic also exacerbated other health problems, including mental health issues, substance abuse, missed vaccinations, and rising obesity rates. Despite the lessons learned, the nation's interest in preparedness for future pandemics appears to be waning.