Strategies for High Impact (S4HI) and its Long COVID Justice project are joining with other advocates to tell Congress that it is beyond time to take action on Long COVID and associated diseases (LCAD).
Long COVID Justice started the new year by meeting with staff from the U.S. Senate HELP Committee as they prepared to host a hearing on Long COVID. At the January 19th hearing, patients, other experts, and a parent of a child with Long COVID shared their experiences and demands, including the need to recognize health disparities for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities who face disproportionately high levels of LCAD. The hearing and overflow rooms were full of advocates – including Long COVID Justice co-founder Gabriel San Emeterio – all wearing K/N95 masks.
Along with other advocates, S4HI is calling for Congress to make a “moonshot investment” into Long COVID – at least $1 billion annually over the next ten years, as well as hold NIH accountable for ensuring research is spent appropriately on research priorities outlined by the patient community to fast-track treatments.
Researchers, patients, clinicians and policy experts also sent President Biden a letter at the end of 2023 urging his administration to address the crisis of Long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions – add your name or organization!
More on the hearing:
Our full press release, written in collaboration with MEAction and Body Politic
The Sick Times article, “Senate hearing highlights Long Covid crisis — but not Covid-19 prevention — while advocacy groups bring their demands to DC”
Related resources:
HIV & Long COVID resource page via Long COVID Justice