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Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Journal
This editorial from The Lancet Respiratory Medicine discusses the growing public health crisis of Long COVID. It highlights that over 65 million people worldwide are estimated to have post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, and there is an urgent need for preventive, rehabilitative, and therapeutic strategies to address this issue. The article emphasizes the importance of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in reducing the risk of Long COVID and mentions the potential benefits of early outpatient treatment in preventing it. However, challenges remain in defining Long COVID, diagnosing it reliably, and understanding its causes and mechanisms. The article calls for large-scale research initiatives to explore these aspects, identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and develop targeted interventions. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the needs of vulnerable populations and providing patient-centered care for Long COVID.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Press Release
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced the establishment of the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice to address the long-term effects of COVID-19. This office will coordinate the government’s response to Long COVID, including associated conditions and the implementation of a National Research Action Plan. Over 14 federal departments and divisions are working together to reduce the impact of Long COVID and improve the quality of life for those affected. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health has launched the RECOVER Initiative, a $1.15 billion research program focused on understanding, treating, and preventing Long COVID. The initiative involves large-scale studies and clinical trials to develop interventions for the condition.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Summary Report/Recommendations
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken significant steps to address the long-term effects of COVID-19, known as “Long COVID.” These actions include establishing advisory committees, forming offices dedicated to Long COVID research and practice, and providing technical guidance for evaluating disabilities related to Long COVID. HHS has also delivered comprehensive reports to the President outlining support services and research strategies. These efforts, in collaboration with various federal agencies, aim to assist individuals in living independently and participating in their communities while dealing with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Numerous resources, such as guides, civil rights protections, and workplace accommodations, have been made available to support those affected by Long COVID.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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Other
The article discusses the challenges and frustrations surrounding Long COVID research in the United States. Despite substantial investments and numerous research efforts, progress in understanding and treating Long COVID has been slow and disappointing. Experts and patient advocates have criticized the research community for its focus on disease development rather than direct patient care, duplication of studies, and a lack of clinical trials. The authors propose a new hypothesis that Long COVID may be a form of post-infectious syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting that traditional biomedical research approaches may not yield meaningful results. Instead, they advocate for a shift towards health services research and measures that directly impact patients’ welfare, including prevention, improved prognosis, access to empathetic care, and quality of life issues. They emphasize the need for collaboration between researchers, patients, and advocacy groups to reset the research agenda effectively.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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White Paper/Brief
Director of the Health Equity Core at Harvard Medical School, Professor Sprague Martinez has organized a team of partners to identify the impact of long COVID on Black and Latinx communities in Massachusetts and barriers they experience in accessing treatment. The project is part of the Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, which aims to address the challenges of COVID-19 and future pandemics. The Health Equity Core focuses on understanding the impact of long COVID on diverse communities, increasing access to treatment and resources, and influencing relevant policies. The team includes partners from various institutions and will emphasize community engagement, data collection, dissemination, and policy advocacy efforts.
Emerging Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and produce early results that are consistent with the objectives of the activities and thus indicate effectiveness.
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White Paper/Brief
This article discusses the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) distribution of $1.3 million in grants to organizations studying the potential permanent adoption of COVID-19 care access measures to promote health equity in opioid use disorder treatment. The grants aim to investigate the impact of temporary policies, such as virtual care, on access to care and patient outcomes. The studies will explore how relaxed prescribing policies for buprenorphine, telehealth strategies, and other COVID-19 measures have affected patient access and outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. The research will inform evidence-based policies to sustain access to better care beyond the pandemic and address the ongoing opioid crisis.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Peer Review Study, Summary Report/Recommendations
Article outlines how an opioid treatment program in the Bronx, NY adjusted their clinical practice with COVID-19 and their recommendations for treatment programs going forward. Balancing Covid-19 safety and the need to safely administer medications for opioid use disorder, this program ultimately made changes that allowed for more patient-driven treatment plans that enable fewer in person clinic visits. The article advocates for patient-centered care that encourages people to safely self-manage medication, focusing on patient-centered measures in clinical decision-making, and making appropriate changes to payment/insurance models that allow for such patient-centered care.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study, Key Informant Interview
This case study discusses how Hawaii’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) partnered with state housing services to organize isolation and quarantine services for people experiencing homelessness. This department also focused on substance use disorder and mental illness, so they worked to build partnerships with treatment centers that individuals could enter after quarantine. The BHA has also focused on braiding funding sources between substance use disorder and homelessness efforts to provide more wraparound services and combat the siloization of different departments.
Promising Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities, and are suitable for adaptation by other communities.
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Case Study
This article summarizes COVID-19 harm reduction approaches taken by a family medicine/OBGYN residency program serving rural, western North Carolina for patients with an opioid use disorder. To meet patient needs, low acuity patients were offered telehealth options and digital prescriptions for buprenorphine/naloxone. For higher acuity patients, in=person visits were maintained and the risk/benefits were weighed on a continuous basis.
Novel Practices that show potential to achieve desirable public health outcomes in a specific real-life setting and are in the process of generating evidence of effectiveness or may not yet be tested.
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White Paper/Brief
This resource makes recommendations related to establishing crisis stabilization systems for persons living with mental illness. This article describes how pandemic-related changes and funding increases can be leveraged to strengthen statewide crisis stabilization systems for individuals living with mental illness and substance use disorder, including recommendations for specific stakeholders to engage and action steps. The practice strategy this article is focused on is policy and organizational change to improve public health infrastructure.