HHS Launches Federal Advisory Panel to Address Long COVID
- November 17, 2023
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations for a new federal advisory committee on long COVID, according to a November 16 agency announcement.
Individuals with long COVID may continue to experience the effects of the virus for weeks or months after their initial illness, including tiredness or fatigue, “brain fog,” shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms.
The Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID will include individuals outside the government who are tasked with making recommendations on research priorities and addressing the longer-term impacts of the virus, with a focus on health equity, HHS said.
HHS wants the advisory committee to reflect a broad range of expertise, including clinical, medical, public and behavioral health, employment, data science, and research, as well as those with long COVID and their caregivers.
“The public should play a central role in the development of effective policies,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “By establishing the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Long COVID, we are ensuring people with the most experience, and the best ideas, have an opportunity to inform the next steps in this important work.”
In April 2022, President Biden directed HHS to coordinate a government-wide effort for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and providing services, supports, and interventions for those with long COVID.