HHS Publishes Third Report in Series Aimed to Improve Support for Long COVID Patients

In response to the Biden administration’s issuance of the Presidential Memorandum on Addressing the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published “Health+ Long COVID Human-Centered Design Report” in October 2022 which expands on two prior publications released in August 2022– “Services and Supports for Longer-Term Impacts of COVID-19” and “National Research Action Plan on Long COVID.”

This latest report focuses on what has often been neglected in Long COVID data, scientific literature, and legislative actions—the expertise, narratives, and needs of those who are living with the illness. Using a process called human-centered design, the Health+ Long COVID program is working to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of those with Long COVID are being considered when developing the social, public health, and economic solutions intended to support the Long COVID community.

The report explores the many peculiarities of Long COVID, such as why some individuals develop debilitating symptoms while others’ symptoms may be barely perceptible. Social determinants of health are also contemplated such as one’s geographic location, financial stability; discrimination from health care providers due to race, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation as well as whether there is support from one’s workplace or educational setting, and also taking into consideration insurance status and the existence or lack of a support network.

For more information:

Read the Health+ Long COVID Human-Centered Design Report.

Visit LDA’s Covid-19 and Lyme disease page.