Community health workers, access to care, and service utilization among Florida Latinos: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives. To determine whether a 1-year community health worker intervention improves access to care and service utilization among Latinos with diabetes. Methods. We conducted a single-blind randomized trial of 300 adults with poorly controlled diabetes treated in 2 public hospital clinics in Miami, Florida. We began enrollment in 2010 and completed follow-up in 2015. We examined access and utilization using self-reported measures and data from electronic medical records. Results. Participants randomized to the community health worker intervention selfreported fewer problems accessing needed care and prescriptions than did those in the usual care group (30% vs 43% and 28% vs 41%, respectively; P