Advancing Long COVID Care in Our Community through Access and Collaboration
Official title: Advancing Long COVID Care in our Community through Access, Equity, and Collaboration
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11415425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-focused project to make long COVID care more accessible and equitable for people in St. Louis and rural Missouri.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $890,258 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS029911-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with long COVID or post-acute sequelae who face barriers to access, particularly in Black communities in St. Louis and rural Missourian regions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in areas or situations where access improvements are not feasible or where care needs are outside long COVID scope.
What this research studies
This effort will transform an existing university long COVID clinic into a broader community network to reach more patients who have long COVID symptoms. It will expand clinical capacity and remove barriers so people can access care more easily, especially in underserved groups. The project also aims to support primary care providers so they can better manage long COVID in their communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with long COVID could experience easier access to care and better coordination of services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous multidisciplinary long COVID clinics showed benefits, and this project aims to adapt and broaden that model to new communities.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Abby Ling-Lee — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Abby Ling-Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Defining neutrophil biology in pediatric Long COVID
This project looks at why some kids develop Long COVID by studying neutrophils to help find new ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
-
Pediatric Long COVID Care Network: Improving access and coordinated care for children
A nationwide pediatric program is testing a patient-centered, multi-disciplinary approach to help children with long COVID, especially in underserved communities.
-
Comunidad: Expanding Long COVID care in underserved South Texas
A new program will broaden and coordinate Long COVID care for underserved communities in San Antonio and South Texas to improve access and outcomes.
-
Atlanta Long COVID Coordinated Care Model for Diverse Populations
A regional program in Atlanta aims to improve access and coordination of care for people with Long COVID, especially in underserved communities.
-
Long COVID Care Resources and Education to Improve Community Health
A program to support federally-qualified health centers in providing better Long COVID care through education, a shared hub, and easy referral pathways for underserved communities.
-
Improving Access to Multidisciplinary Care for long COVID patients
A team at UW is expanding a long COVID clinic to help more patients get coordinated, multidisciplinary care—especially in rural areas and underserved communities.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.