Community–Clinical Linkages: The Effects of the Healthy Here Wellness Referral Center on Chronic Disease Indicators Among Underserved Populations in New Mexico. Issue 1 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cruz, Theresa H.; Boursaw, Blake; Barqawi, Yazan K.; FitzGerald, Courtney A.; Enoah, Natahlia; Hayes, Amos; Caswell, Leigh
• Other Names: Lavinghouze S. René guest-editor.; O'Toole Terrence P. guest-editor.; Wright LaNita S. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Health promotion practice. Volume 23:Issue 1(2022)Supplement
• Page Start: 164S
• Page End: 173S
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Chronic Disease -- Behavior Change -- Community Intervention -- Health Disparities -- Health Equity -- Health Promotion -- Hispanic -- Latinx -- Outcome Evaluation -- REACH—Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- United States -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Health education -- United States -- Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1177/15248399221111191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1524-8399

Abstract

The majority of U.S. adults are living with at least one chronic condition, and people of color bear a disproportionate burden of chronic disease. Prior research identifies community–clinical linkages (CCLs) as a strategy for improving health. CCLs traditionally use health care providers to connect patients to community-based self-management programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a centralized CCL system on health indicators and health disparities. Administrative health data were merged with referral system data to conduct a quasi-experimental comparative time series study with a comparison group of nonreferred patients. Interrupted time-series comparisons within referred patients were also conducted. Of the 2, 920 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 972 (33.3%) received a referral during the study period (January 2019—September 2021). Hemoglobin A1c levels, used to diagnose diabetes, declined significantly among referred patients, as did disparities among Hispanic/Latinx participants compared with non-Hispanic White participants. No changes were observed in body mass index (BMI). Blood pressure increased among both referred and nonreferred patients. CCLs with a centralized referral system can effectively reduce markers of diabetes and may contribute to the maintenance of BMI. The observed increase in blood pressure may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and warrants further study. Practitioners can work with community partners to implement a centralized CCL model, either on its own or to enhance existing clinician or community health worker-based models.