RECOVER researchers and community groups encourage virtual attendance at upcoming Long COVID summit
Two RECOVER study sites – ILLInet RECOVER and RECOVER Boston – collaborate with community-based organizations on Long COVID summit to improve understanding and treatment of the condition.
On September 12, 2024, ILLInet RECOVER and UI (University of Illinois) Health will host a Long COVID Summit. This summit will bring together experts, community leaders, lawmakers, and advocates to improve understanding of Long COVID and discuss how to better help the people and communities who have been impacted by the condition.
The summit, which will be livestreamed so people across the country can tune in, is organized by RECOVER Representatives and community-based organizations affiliated with two RECOVER study sites, ILLInet RECOVER and RECOVER Boston.
Conversations to help the community
The idea for this summit came from community-based organizations, including Illinois Unidos, Bright Star Community Outreach, and ASI Home Care. These organizations have witnessed firsthand the impact of Long COVID on their communities. They have seen many people get sick and not receive the care they need. “Too many people are not being diagnosed or they’re not being [directed to] treatment at a Long COVID clinic,” says Marta Cerda, a RECOVER Representative and the CEO of ASI Home Care.
The main goal of the event is to raise awareness of Long COVID and keep it top of mind for lawmakers, clinicians, and communities. “We need to keep the impact of Long COVID at the forefront,” says Elijah Kindred, an event organizer and Health & Wellness Department Director with Bright Star Community Outreach. “COVID is not done with us. There are still people who are getting sick.”
The organizers hope the event will also spur discussions about preventing, treating, and managing Long COVID symptoms, improving access to disability benefits, and strategies for community-based organizations to help address the impact of Long COVID.
Highlights of the summit
The Long COVID Summit will also include presentations about:
- What researchers have learned about Long COVID
- Policies to help people with Long COVID
- Long COVID’s impact on underserved communities, especially communities of color
- How to improve access to care and support for people with Long COVID
Several sessions will also present RECOVER research, including lessons learned from RECOVER’s observational studies. Another session will cover clinical trials that are investigating potential treatments for Long COVID symptoms. Kindred, who is leading a session about the role of community organizations, hopes the summit can help organizations build on their existing skillset to best support people with Long COVID.
Cerda is leading a panel discussion titled “Long COVID Impact - Newly Disabled & systemic barriers to access services” and a breakout session for attendees to discuss how to improve access to disability benefits and assistive services for people with Long COVID.
Collaboration for action
During the planning process for the summit, ILLInet RECOVER and RECOVER Boston decided to combine their separate efforts to hold a Long COVID summit and partner for a larger, stronger event than either could accomplish alone. Kindred also noted that community-based organizations played a vital role in planning this event.
Event organizers hope that many people will attend the event virtually. “This is a unique opportunity,” says Cerda. “We are hoping decision makers, researchers, clinicians, and people in the community participate through the livestream so we can come up with solutions [for Long COVID].”
To sign up for the livestream, visit the Long COVID Summit registration page.