HCSN-Health Communication & Social Needs

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – Health Communication and Social Needs Core The primary goal of the Health Communication and Social Needs Core (HCSN) of the Washington University Center for Diabetes Translation Research (WU-CDTR) is to provide expertise in health communication, health literacy, and social needs methodology to support diabetes translation research. To eliminate health disparities in diabetes outcomes and promote diabetes health equity, the HCSN will assist WU-CDTR investigators in advancing the comprehension, use, and relevance of diabetes prevention information by priority populations; addressing the complexities of how social needs impact diabetes outcomes and how such effects vary by individuals and subgroups; and facilitating strategic community partnerships with non-health care and social service agencies to further integrate social needs solutions into diabetes translation research. The unique combination of health communication, health literacy, and social needs services provided by the HCSN Core reflects the increasing importance and necessity of assuring the relevance of interventions for specific populations. The Core refers to social determinants of health as system and policy influences on health, and recognizes the need for supplementing efforts with acute safety net services for “social needs” such as food, housing, and transportation that can interfere with diabetes management efforts. The HCSN Core focuses on achieving diabetes equity for priority health disparity populations (e.g., Blacks/African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, socioeconomically disadvantaged rural populations, etc.) by enhancing the relevance and impact of health information and incorporating new approaches for addressing social needs. The HCSN will assist WU-CDTR investigators to develop and apply the knowledge and skills needed to translate research to improve diabetes outcomes, reduce disparities, and achieve health equity through the following specific aims which will: (1) improve health communication and health literacy of diabetes information to increase reach, comprehension, effectiveness, and use among priority populations; (2) advance the integration of social needs data and solutions into diabetes translation research; and (3) build team capacity in the skills essential for effective communication and integration of social needs into diabetes translation research. The HCSN Core will continue to bring together WU-CDTR scholars and underrepresented researchers and provide them with services such as applying and integrating health communication and health literacy best practices; developing and testing social needs interventions; facilitating strategic community partnerships with non-healthcare sectors; and facilitating virtual group consultations on health inequities and social needs and health communication research.