Are you one of the millions of people struggling with Long COVID? For over two years, people have been facing lingering, new, and recurring symptoms. In August 2022, the Biden administration announced a National Research Action Plan on Long COVID. Learn what patient advocates are saying about this new development.* 

What is the plan?

The National Research Action Plan on Long COVID aims to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for those facing Long COVID. 

Admiral Rachel Levine, M.D., HHS assistant secretary of health, will be implementing the plan and overseeing the work of the Long COVID Coordination Council. She understands that Long COVID manifests differently in each person, may affect multiple organs, and can lead to other serious chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. 

Learning more about the complexity of Long COVID is imperative. Seven key research areas will be covered in the plan. These areas include:

• Long COVID’s clinical spectrum and diagnosis
• Pathophysiology (the physiological processes associated with Long COVID)
• Surveillance (monitoring) and epidemiology 
• Patients’ well-being
• Therapeutics, treatments, and interventions
• Human services and supports
• Health services and economics research 

The plan will build on ongoing research in these areas, and aim to accelerate and expand the list when possible. While this plan is being run by the U.S. government, it will depend on action by the private sector and other government agencies to conduct and complete the research. 

What do Long COVID advocates think of the plan?

Long COVID advocates want to see actionable and detailed information about this condition that is going largely untreated right now. They voice mixed opinions on the plan. 

Hannah Davis, co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative, was amazed and happy to hear there will be an Office of Long COVID Research and Practice, which was announced in the plan. 

Davis is concerned about the lack of Long COVID prevention efforts mentioned. “I think there’s still a feeling like we can get through this without minimizing cases, but we really need to be focused on prevention as well,” she said.

Diana Berrent, founder of Survivor Corps, thinks the administration “nailed the institutional challenge of Long COVID” but fell short in other areas. 

With millions of Americans currently suffering from Long COVID symptoms, Berrent says, “An established office in HHS is a welcome step but nothing short of actual treatments and therapeutics will do the trick.”

Berrent also believes the administration’s action plan to collaborate with private sectors is “shirking” its responsibilities. “A call to action without funding is a cry into the dark,” she said. “We need an ‘Operation Warp Speed’ for Long COVID, and we shouldn’t settle for anything less.”

While advocates have concerns, they are hopeful about the efforts being made. For those currently suffering, the Biden administration also released its Supports and Services for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19. This report highlights resources and programs for Long COVID patients, bereaved persons, and people experiencing behavioral health effects of COVID-19. 

Firth, S. (2022, August 18). Biden Administration Escalates Battle Against Long COVID. MedPage Today. Retrieved September 17, 2022, from https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/longcovid/100284?