Improving Diabetes Prevention and Management

By

NYHealth

Funding Area

Improving Diabetes Prevention and Management

Date

October 15, 2010

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This working draft of an NYHealth white paper explores how Community Health Workers (CHWs) are being given a larger role in primary care as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

As emerging members of effective care management teams, CHWs have been shown to play a critical role in addressing the drivers of health care costs and improving quality of care for patients.

The provisions and demonstrations authorized by the ACA promote strategies to improve health outcomes and contain the costs of care. CHWs can play a critical role by helping to enroll people who are eligible for coverage, coordinating access to primary care and behavioral and preventive services, particularly for those who remain uninsured, and helping people manage chronic conditions, particularly underserved populations and people with complex treatment regimens.