Broadening access to a comprehensive Long COVID clinic for diverse groups
Official title: Broadening the scale and impact of a comprehensive Long COVID clinic to serve diverse patient groups with multidisciplinary care and research access
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11414757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to expand a multimodal Long COVID clinic to reach more diverse adults and connect them with ongoing care and research opportunities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS029951-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11414757 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 and older with long COVID, especially from underserved, minority, and diverse backgrounds who receive care at UCSF OPTIMAL Clinic or San Francisco General Hospital.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing long COVID symptoms or those not connected to the participating clinics may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The UCSF OPTIMAL Long COVID Clinic has shown benefits for patients after acute COVID-19. This project will scale up multidisciplinary care and extend the program to San Francisco General Hospital to serve underserved and minority communities. It will focus on making care more accessible, coordinated, and responsive to patients’ needs while enabling research access. The goal is to reduce hospital visits and improve overall health for people living with long COVID.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could receive more accessible, coordinated long COVID care and participate in research that may improve treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous long COVID clinics have demonstrated reduced hospitalizations and ED visits, supporting the potential for broader impact with expansion.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santhosh, Lekshmi — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Santhosh, Lekshmi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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Advancing Long COVID Care in Our Community through Access and Collaboration
A community-focused project to make long COVID care more accessible and equitable for people in St. Louis and rural Missouri.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.