Effects of a Standardized Community Health Worker Intervention on Health Care Utilization Within an Integrated Delivery System

Authors: Aditi Vasan MD, MS, Molly Knowles MPH, Shaun Flerchinger MS, Thomas K Tandy MPH, David Mosen PhD, MPH, Jessica Soltesz LMSW, Olivia Paradis BS, Nicole Friedman MAA, Judith A. Long MD, Briar L. Ertz-Berger MD, MPH & Shreya Kangovi MD, MS

This study looked at how a Community Health Worker (CHW) program called IMPaCT affected hospital use and primary care visits among low-income adults in Portland, Oregon. People in the program worked with CHWs for three months to set health goals and get support, mostly over the phone due to COVID-19. Compared to those receiving usual care, patients in the program spent less time in the hospital and were more likely to attend a primary care visit. The program did not reduce emergency room visits. Overall, CHW support helped improve care and reduced hospital stays.