Rigorous science takes time, yet people with Long COVID need help today. To address that need, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) launched the Long COVID Healthathon, an innovation sprint with $25,000 in cash prizes for the public to develop digital solutions to support those living with Long COVID today. Members of the public are invited to join the healthathon to help provide real-world solutions.
The Long COVID Healthathon builds off the momentum of the Health+ Long COVID Human-Centered Design Report, which co-creates patient-centered solutions with people—not for people—impacted by the most pressing healthcare challenges. The report synthesizes over 1,000 hours of desk research, one-on-one interviews, and workshops with people affected by Long COVID into opportunity areas, or recommendations for improving the quality of care and lives for people affected by Long COVID.
The Long COVID Healthathon launches today with this question to the public. “How might we design and implement innovative solutions to improve the lives of those with Long COVID today?”
OASH will accept submissions for Phase 1 of the Healthathon until April 19, 2024. The Long COVID Healthathon is intentionally broad for you to brainstorm, build on, or expand your own solutions. The Healthathon has three focus areas based on human-centered design research from the Health+ Long COVID report.
- People First Draw on lived experience to provide solutions to help people with Long COVID.
- Education and Awareness Create and disseminate educational materials to help raise Long COVID awareness.
- Community Innovation Design resources for patients, caregivers, and others impacted by Long COVID to enable communities to support people living with Long COVID.
A multidisciplinary panel of judges will choose up to 15 winners of Phase 1 as Healthathon Finalists. The Healthathon Finalists will receive $250 each and the opportunity to participate in Phase 2 of the Healthathon, where they’ll refine and iterate upon their submissions. Judges will select up to three winners to receive equal shares of the remaining prize pot, at least $7,000 each.
To get started, create a profile LongCOVID.crowdicity.com. There you can learn more about the Healthathon, find a team, and sign up for news and updates. Healthathon participants will have access to a series of live events focused on innovation and design. You can find official rules, judging criteria and other details regarding the Long COVID Healthathon on Challenge.gov. Submissions must be entered at LongCOVID.crowdicity.com by April 19th, 2024.
Ready to take on the challenge? Be a part of building the solutions for the Long COVID Community at LongCOVID.crowdicity.com.
