Integrating Community Health Workers Into the Care of Children With Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetic ketoacidosis accounts for 65% of hospitalizations in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes, and has a mortality rate between 0.15-0.31%. Children with established type 1 diabetes have an 8% annualized risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis, and this risk increases during adolescence. In addition, socioeconomic and racial disparities are associated with increased risks of poor glycemic control, hospitalization with diabetic ketoacidosis, and even severe hypoglycemia. All of these complications are associated with preventable harm, and lead to increased utilization of medical resources, both in the short- and long-term. Social determinants of health account for over 75% of health outcomes. Thus, it is not surprising that a disproportionate number of children with poor diabetes control and recurrent hospitalization in diabetic ketoacidosis come from vulnerable underserved populations.

In this study, Investigators will study the effect of integrating a community-based healthcare worker into the healthcare team of children with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Community Health Workers (CHW) are highly motivated, community members who do not necessarily have prior medical training, but rather they link with the healthcare team to identify and provide relevant social supports to the family. They receive specific training that focuses on issues relevant to improving health outcomes and adherence, by improving medication access, reducing food insecurity, and improving health literacy. The CHW are able to provide real-time assistance with navigating the healthcare and social services systems, reducing family stress and breaking down community barriers to positive health behavior. The CHW work with the family to develop goals and develop an individualized plan to reach these goals. The role of the CHW can include home visits, phone contacts, meeting with school representatives and accompanying patients to appointments.

At the diabetes center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the Community Health Worker will be assigned for one year to patients with high healthcare utilization and / or poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. The support provided for this year will be tailored to the patient's needs but may include problem solving surrounding issues related to work/education, accessing healthcare/medications, engagement with the healthcare team, transportation, housing or food insecurity. Interactions with patients will be through home visits, telephone encounters, text messaging or email. This will be added to their medical care and will be documented in the patient's medical record.