Meet
Hope White
Meet Hope White, our partner from the Massachusetts Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL).
The Massachusetts Community Engagement Alliance (MA-CEAL), a program under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), emerged during the height of the pandemic to address vaccine hesitancy and high mortality rates in communities of color. As the pandemic evolved, so did its challenges. To explore the impacts of Long COVID, a condition still unfamiliar to many, we spoke with Hope White, the Director of Community Engagement for MA-CEAL at Boston Medical Center.
Hope describes society today as "COVID-weary," noting that people no longer want to hear words like "uptick," "mask," or "booster." Despite this fatigue, COVID cases are rising. Hope's firsthand experiences in the community reveal a harsh reality: many individuals who seemingly recovered from COVID-19 now grapple with recurring symptoms that significantly affect their daily lives. Forgetfulness, fatigue, headaches, and joint pain have become their new normal. Alarmingly, awareness of Long COVID remains shockingly low. Hope recounts numerous instances where people she's encountered have never even heard of Long COVID, let alone know how to seek proper treatment.
I don't think the community knows the severity of this illness—that it can be debilitating.
Having had a severe case of COVID herself, Hope’s personal experience deepens her passion for advocacy. She battled a severe case of COVID-19, compounded by a pre-existing chronic illness that weakened her immune system. Hospitalized for three weeks, Hope knows firsthand how serious COVID-19 can be. She has transformed her experience into a beacon of resilience, now working to shine a light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by those grappling with the virus's aftermath. In response to this silent crisis, Hope and her team designed an innovative solution to educate Boston communities about their health—the Long COVID Ambassador Training Program.
"If we train people to do the same type of education work that we do, we can cover more ground and get the important information out to the people who need it."
The Long COVID Ambassador Training Program is a community-friendly initiative focused on educating individuals about Long COVID, its symptoms, and where to seek help in Boston. Using the "train the trainer" model, the program empowers community members to share crucial information and bridge the awareness gap. Participants undergo a two-day training and become ambassadors equipped to conduct paid, one-hour workshops in their communities. The program has already achieved remarkable success, even receiving an invitation to facilitate a workshop at the Worcester Department of Public Health.
Not only should you be concerned for yourself, but you should be concerned about people in your circles & in your surroundings.
The fight against COVID-19 and its aftermath is far from over. The ebb and flow of media attention, community fatigue, and the misconception that the worst is behind us pose significant challenges. Hope, drawing from her personal experience, reminds us that the virus remains a serious concern with new variants emerging. She emphasizes the importance of vaccination and continued precautions, particularly within marginalized groups facing disproportionately high mortality rates.
The battle against COVID-19 and its lingering effects requires not just medical interventions but a shared commitment to well-being to protect ourselves and our communities. "It's up to you to take that walk, take that cab, take that bus, get boosted, wear a mask, and wash your hands—very basic and easy things to do because that could save your life. It's that simple."
Written by Adede Appah-Sampong (January 2024)