Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Isabella Cueto
Published on 2024-04-11 08:30:39
Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced a draft legislative proposal for a long Covid “moonshot” with the goal of addressing the pressing public health crisis of long-term Covid-19 symptoms. The proposal calls for $10 billion in mandatory funding over the next decade to establish a new long Covid research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), providing $1 billion per year for research into this condition. This funding would be in addition to the funding set aside for the RECOVER trial, offering more secure support for long Covid research.
Recent data shows that 3 in 10 U.S. adults report having symptoms of Covid-19 that last longer than 3 months, with about 1 in 10 still experiencing these symptoms. This amounts to approximately 17 million people dealing with issues like brain fog and intense fatigue, impacting their lives and ability to participate in the workforce. The proposal aims to provide much-needed support for researchers to develop therapies and fast-track treatment trials for long Covid.
Advocates for long Covid research have been calling for increased funding and resources to address the challenges faced by patients with persistent symptoms. The proposal put forth by Senator Sanders aligns with these demands and seeks to accelerate research efforts to find effective treatments for long Covid. By establishing a new research program and streamlining the grant application process for researchers studying long Covid, the proposal aims to expedite the development of preventive therapies and potential treatments.
In addition to addressing long Covid, the proposal also highlights the need for a centralized coordinating entity to oversee research efforts and involve patients in decision-making processes. By including patients, scientists, and healthcare workers in an advisory board to evaluate grant applications and guide research agendas, transparency and accountability in the research process can be ensured.
Furthermore, the proposal mandates the creation of a database to house de-identified long Covid patient data from federally funded research and requires annual reports on the findings of NIH-funded clinical studies on long Covid and similar chronic conditions.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which Sanders chairs, is currently reviewing the proposal and seeking public feedback until April 23. The introduction of the bill is expected to be preceded by additional committee hearings to enhance the legislation further.
Overall, Senator Sanders’ proposed long Covid “moonshot” aims to provide substantial support for research into this emerging public health issue and ensure that the millions of people affected by long Covid receive the attention and resources necessary to improve their quality of life.
