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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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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.
Best Practices that show evidence of effectiveness in improving public health outcomes when implemented in multiple real-life settings, as indicated by achievement of aims consistent with the objectives of the activities.
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Peer Review Study
The study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assessed high-throughput COVID-19 vaccination sites in the United States, including Puerto Rico, to identify promising practices for their implementation. Through site observations and staff interviews, they conducted 134 assessments in multiple states, highlighting practices related to health equity, partnerships, site design, visual communication, quick response codes, and risk management. These findings can aid in the planning and execution of future vaccination operations for COVID-19, influenza, and other vaccine-preventable diseases, offering valuable insights to vaccination planners and providers for strengthening their site plans and implementation strategies.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Summary Report/Recommendations
This commentary discusses the importance of inclusive health systems strengthening in promoting equity during health emergencies, using the example of disability inclusion in the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the increased risks faced by persons with disabilities during the pandemic and the barriers they encounter in accessing healthcare. It emphasizes the need for accessible and comprehensive health emergency preparedness and response plans that consider the needs of persons with disabilities. It also explores strategies for disability inclusion in COVID-19 responses, such as producing accessible public health information and involving organizations of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes. Opportunities to strengthen inclusion and equity in COVID-19 responses include equitable access to telehealth and inclusive decision-making processes.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
The Community Outreach Specialist (COS) program aimed to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among rural communities through targeted outreach efforts. The program trained and deployed community outreach specialists who engaged with community members, provided education about COVID-19 and vaccination, addressed concerns and misconceptions, and facilitated access to vaccination services. The COS program in reaching and engaging with socially vulnerable and medically underserved populations, successfully increasing vaccine acceptance and uptake in these communities by building trust, addressing barriers to vaccination, and tailoring outreach strategies to the local context. The article discusses the importance of community-based approaches, cultural competency, and collaboration with local organizations and leaders in achieving successful vaccine outreach. It also emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccination and to address disparities in vaccine uptake among different populations.
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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
COVID-19 caused significant disruptions to routine vaccination efforts worldwide. Several factors contributed to these disruptions, including reduced healthcare access, fear of infection, and diversion of healthcare resources towards COVID-19 response. These led to a decline in immunization rates, leaving populations vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing these collateral impacts and implementing strategies to mitigate the negative consequences. It suggests various approaches such as ensuring vaccine supply chains, enhancing public trust in vaccines, and implementing catch-up vaccination campaigns. The authors stress the need for collaborative efforts between public health agencies, healthcare providers, and communities to restore and maintain routine immunization services amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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
The article stresses the importance of leveraging the Medical Reserve Corps when responding to pandemics and other mass public health events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these community volunteers allowed local public health agencies to quickly scale to respond to this 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.
RELEASE DATE:
Peer Review Study
This analysis identifies risk factors and socio-economic impacts of long COVID with a public health lens. It notes that more analysis is needed, but encourages the impacts of long COVID to be seen within a larger social, and not just medical, context. Workplace and family structure implications are substantial. Long COVID should be tracked as distinct condition using person-centered research techniques that include traditionally underrepresented populations such as children.
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 article discusses the development of the Visible app, which uses wearables or smart watches to help measure and manage long COVID. Visible helps to manage long COVID and other chronic fatigue diseases with a heartrate-monitored guidance strategy that emphasizes pacing as long COVID patients return to physical activity.
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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Summary Report/Recommendations
This article seeks to assess COVID-19 case and mortality rates in non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) through an analysis of laboratory-reported COVID-19 data from January 22-July 3, 2020, for 23 U.S. states. The results show that AI/AN individuals are 3.5 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than White individuals, and more accurate race/ethnicity data must be reported by all states to more accurately represent this population.