Connecticut Implements a Team-Based Approach to Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Using Community Health Workers and...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Economically disadvantaged and minority women face significant barriers to accessing essential health services.
• Existing healthcare models often fail to reach women who do not regularly utilize clinical services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an integrated program model for delivering breast and cervical cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk assessment, and health coaching.
• To highlight the role of community health workers (CHWs) and mobile medical devices in overcoming access barriers for underserved women.

Main Methods:

• An integrated approach utilizing community health workers (CHWs) to conduct outreach and screenings in community settings.
• Deployment of mobile medical screening devices for rapid results and on-site risk reduction counseling.
• Partnerships with twenty hospitals and their fee-for-service providers across the state.

Main Results:

• Mobile medical devices enhance healthcare accessibility by allowing screenings in preferred settings and delivering rapid results.
• CHWs develop individualized health action plans with participants during outreach sessions.
• The program effectively engages women from economically disadvantaged and minority communities, addressing social determinants of health.

Conclusions:

• An integrated model employing CHWs and mobile health technology can significantly improve access to preventive health services for underserved women.
• This approach reduces barriers to care and promotes proactive health management through personalized action plans.