Building Connections Between Practices, Patients, and Community Health
Building Connections seeks to address health and healthcare inequities in socially vulnerable communities. The project will be conducted in collaboration with clinical practices across Massachusetts, serving a diverse population heavily represented in Community Clinics and Health Centers. The program will offer evidence-based interventions in obesity/weight management, cancer screening, and mental health.
• The general inclusion criteria involve being 18+, speaking English or Spanish, and meeting one or more of the following criteria:
⁃ Obesity: Patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater (i.e., obese category).
⁃ Cancer screening: Average-risk patients without recommended colorectal or cervical cancer screenings for their age group and biological sex. Specifically:
⁃ Colon Cancer (CRC) inclusion criteria: Patients aged 45-75 who are due for screenings, with last FIT longer than 1 year ago, last colonoscopy longer than 10 years ago, and last Cologuard longer than 3 years ago.
⁃ And/or
⁃ Cervical cancer inclusion criteria: Women and patients with a cervix aged 30-65 who are due for screening: with last pap longer than 3 years ago; last co-test longer than 5 years ago; last primary HPV screening longer than 5 years ago.
⁃ Mental health: Patients with moderate to severe depression or anxiety symptoms.