Comunidad: Expanding Long COVID care in underserved South Texas
Official title: Comprehensive Long COVID Care for Underserved Communities: Innovative Delivery and Dissemination Models (Comunidad)
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11415421 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new program will broaden and coordinate Long COVID care for underserved communities in San Antonio and South Texas to improve access and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $984,668 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS029947-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415421 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Long COVID in the South Texas catchment area who face barriers to care, including rural residents, Hispanics/Latinos, and those with limited access to multidisciplinary services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in regions without access barriers or where local care is already comprehensive may see limited additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to bring comprehensive, multidisciplinary Long COVID care to a largely rural, Hispanic/Latino population that faces health disparities. It will test new delivery and dissemination methods to reduce a long wait time for appointments and to improve access to medical and mental health services. By expanding the availability of social workers, primary care providers, and community outreach, the program seeks to enhance awareness, reduce misinformation, and connect patients with holistic care. The effort focuses on sustainable models that can be scaled to similar communities beyond San Antonio.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster access to coordinated Long COVID care and better management of symptoms and related social needs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous Long COVID clinics show promise, but this project emphasizes underserved populations and scalable delivery models in a real-world setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verduzco-Gutierrez, Monica — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Verduzco-Gutierrez, Monica
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.
-
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.
-
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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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.