Expanding Long COVID clinic services to reach more diverse patients
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-11121820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project expands a team-based Long COVID clinic to provide coordinated care and easier access to research for people with ongoing symptoms after COVID-19, especially those from underserved communities.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS029951-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with ongoing post-COVID symptoms (Long COVID), particularly those served by UCSF or San Francisco General and from underserved or minority communities, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without lasting post-COVID symptoms, those who only need inpatient care, or those unable to travel to San Francisco clinics are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
If I come to this program, I would be seen by a multidisciplinary team at the UCSF OPTIMAL Long COVID clinic and at San Francisco General Hospital that coordinates medical, rehabilitation, and social-support services. The project will increase clinic capacity and outreach so more people from underserved, vulnerable, and minority groups can get care and join related research. The team will track outcomes such as hospital and emergency department visits to understand whether the changes help people stay healthier. Care is designed to be person-centered and coordinated across specialties to address the complex problems of Long COVID.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could get faster, more coordinated Long COVID care, improved access for underserved groups, and more chances to join research that may lead to better treatments.
How similar studies have gone: The existing UCSF OPTIMAL clinic has already been associated with lower odds of hospitalization and emergency visits, though scaling equitable access to more sites remains to be tested.
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.
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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.