The Pathways Community HUB Institute® is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant from Sanofi and Regeneron for a pilot project aimed at supporting individuals in Ohio with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This initiative will leverage the PCHI® Model to better understand and help mitigate the health-related social needs (HRSNs) of underserved COPD patients, with the ultimate goal of reducing COPD exacerbations in these communities.
For the pilot project, PCHI will collaborate with two Pathways Community HUBs (PCHs)- the Community Health Access Project (CHAP) located in Richland County and serving 5 surrounding counties; and Bridges to Wellness Pathways Community HUB located in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and serving 10 surrounding counties in Appalachia. Community health workers (CHWs) will use the PCHI Model to help address any HRSNs for the people they serve - from transportation, food insecurity, translation services, to understanding and affording their medication. A key component of this initiative is the specialized COPD-specific curriculum developed and taught by PCHI. CHWs who receive this specialized training will learn more about the pulmonary system; what triggers COPD flare ups; how to support an action plan; and information and techniques to tailor strategies to effectively manage the disease. Pilot funds will be used to reimburse the PCHs for engagement and each successfully addressed HRSN.
“This project is an important extension of care that goes directly into the homes of those who need it most,” said Dr. Sarah Redding, Founder and CEO of PCHI. “CHWs are a crucial asset in helping COPD patients better understand and manage their chronic disease. By partnering with pulmonary providers and integrating social care with clinical care, we can equip patients with the tools they need to stay healthy and out of the hospital.”
Lisa Schmitt, Sanofi US Public Affairs & Patient Advocacy Lead, shared, “At Sanofi, we understand the unique role CHWs provide in their community and are honored to support this pilot. It can be challenging for people living with difficult to control COPD to travel. Through this program, they will have the opportunity for connection, education, and support right at home.”
Individuals in underserved communities may feel distrustful of their local health system or be intimidated by their clinical providers. CHWs are uniquely qualified to provide this support because they live and work in the communities they serve. This local connection allows them to relate to their neighbors, friends, and other community members on a personal level, fostering trust and improving their ability to connect with and support COPD patients.
“Regeneron is proud to fund this pilot program for the COPD patient community. The opportunity to help educate and support patients and their carers understand COPD and how best to manage through CHW from their own local area, is a great personal approach to improve their care and we look forward to learning from this program” said Mary Ruth Brehmer, Regeneron Director of Patient Advocacy.
This pilot program aims to reinforce the connection between health and social care, ensuring that underserved populations, particularly in rural and suburban areas with higher rates of COPD, receive the care and support they need. Over the course of the next year, PCHI will gather comprehensive data on the needs and obstacles to care faced by COPD patients. Insights from the community and clinical care teams will be harnessed to develop innovative practices aimed at engaging these patients in their care. Throughout the pilot, all home and face-to-face visits and identified HRSNs will be tracked, documenting both successfully mitigated risks and those that remain unresolved.
“By addressing the full spectrum of needs for COPD patients, from medical care to social care, PCHI is setting a new standard for integrated care in under-resourced communities,” said Amy Vreeland, Chief Quality Officer for PCHI. “This pilot program not only aims to improve the health outcomes of COPD patients but also to strengthen the bonds between health and social care providers, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with COPD.”
CHW training begins in September and the pilot program will run through 2025.
About PCHI
The Pathways Community HUB Institute® (PCHI) advances health equity by helping communities create sustainable, community-based care coordination networks that support under-resourced residents. Through its transformative PCHI® Model, PCHI focuses on the whole person, ensuring they receive both health and social care support to achieve better outcomes. At the heart of the PCHI Model are community health workers (CHWs), whose deep connections within their communities enable them to make a real difference in the lives they support. PCHI has witnessed firsthand the powerful impact when healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other stakeholders collaborate and align their efforts. What began in Mansfield, Ohio, has now expanded to nearly half of all U.S. states and 4 0 communities. To learn more, visit www.pchi-hub.org.
About Sanofi and Regeneron
Since 2007, Regeneron and Sanofi have collaborated to help people with conditions that are often difficult to diagnose and treat using innovative technology platforms. Regeneron is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company that invents, develops, and commercializes medicines to treat serious medical conditions. Sanofi is an innovative global healthcare company that provides potentially life-changing treatment options and life-saving vaccine protection to millions of people globally.
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