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Long COVID/PASC

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AAPM&R is Calling for a Comprehensive National Plan to Address the Needs of Millions Suffering from Long COVID

According to two recent publications from the Journal of the American Medical Association, ten to thirty percent of individuals who had COVID-19 reported at least one persistent symptom up to six months after the virus left their bodies. That means 3 to 10 million Americans are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which are varied and ongoing, including neurological challenges, cognitive problems such as brain fog, shortness of breath, fatigue, pain, and mobility issues.

AAPM&R called on President Joe Biden and Congress to gear up for the next coronavirus crisis by preparing and implementing a comprehensive national plan focused on meeting the needs of millions of individuals suffering from the long-term symptoms of COVID-19, and help them regain quality of life and return to being active members of their communities. The plan must include a commitment to three major components:

  • Resources to build necessary infrastructure to meet this crisis
  • Equitable access to care for patients
  • Research to advance medical understanding of Long COVID

PM&R physicians are uniquely qualified to help guide the multidisciplinary effort needed to develop a plan for this crisis. As a specialty, physiatrists are investigators, team leaders and problem solvers. PM&R physicians see the whole patient AND the whole picture of the rehabilitation ecosystem. Physiatrists are exactly what this crisis needs. Learn more about our Multidisciplinary PASC Collaborative, launched in March 2021, which is working on quality improvement initiatives.

AAPM&R Advocacy, Healthcare Collaborations and Partnerships, and Customized Resources to Support PM&R During This Crisis

AAPM&R is working to ensure PM&R is part of the national conversation about healthcare amidst COVID-19 and advocating for the federal support, legislation, regulation relief and resources that physiatrists need now. One way we are doing this is through our partnerships and collaborations with other specialty societies. The Academy continuously works to represent PM&R through these collaborations, and it is through these partnerships that we are able to discuss and share a variety of resources with you that you critically need.

Stay Up-to-Date

Long COVID Initiative Updates: May 12, 2021

May 12, 2021

AAPM&R will provide consistent updates on our advocacy outreach efforts, the Multi-Disciplinary PASC Collaborative and other relevant information to our Long COVID initiative.

The Academy's Long COVID Efforts Are Gaining Momentum

AAPM&R continues to advocate for a national plan to address Long COVID, most recently pushing the call to action in The Hill, a Washington, D.C. based political media outlet. Continue to stand with us and share our call to action with your colleagues and community and bring more voices into the conversation. We are stronger together. Visit our press page to see how our members are making a difference and caring for patients with Long COVID. 

We recently launched our Advocacy sign-on statement with over 60 signatures which can be viewed here. The statement is being shared with federal offices to demonstrate the vast support for the national crisis plan on Long COVID. We are continuing to encourage organizations to sign on to this important initiative.

AAPM&R submitted comments to the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee's meeting yesterday. We're taking the opportunity to call attention to Long COVID as the Senate checks in on the status of COVID-19 in the U.S. Thank you to Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, FAAPMR; Benjamin Abramoff, MD, FAAPMR; Gerald Nora, MD, FAAPMR, and Aaron Bunnell, MD, FAAPMR for meeting with their representatives on this issue on behalf of the Academy.

The PASC Quality Improvement Collaborative continues to make progress as well. The Cognitive Impairment writing group met last week to share ideas and strategies as it works to formulate initial guidance.