IMPACCT: Improving culturally relevant long COVID care and access
Official title: The Pitt IMProving Access to Culturally relevant long COVID care and Treatment (IMPACCT) Program
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11415412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to train community healthcare providers and expand access to long COVID care for underserved and rural patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $965,315 |
| NIH project number | 5U18HS029924-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with long COVID, especially from underserved or rural communities, who need improved access to knowledgeable clinicians.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in well-served urban areas with existing access to long COVID care may experience less dramatic benefit.
What this research studies
This grant funds a program based at the University of Pittsburgh to train frontline clinicians in diagnosing and treating long COVID with culturally informed materials. It will create educational resources, diagnostic and treatment guides, and online modules, plus in-person lectures to reach providers who serve underserved communities. The aim is to build local capacity so patients across rural and minority groups can get timely, appropriate long COVID care from clinicians they trust.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in underserved areas could receive better, more accessible long COVID care and guidance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts show that provider education and care pathways can improve access and quality of care for complex conditions, but this program focuses on culturally informed approaches for long COVID.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sciurba, Frank — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Sciurba, Frank
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.