Improving healthcare access for older adults through mobile technology and community health workers
Official title: eREACH - Expanding Research and Recruitment by Adults through Community Health workers that automating screenings and referrals plus improving communication and health information delivery
Funded at Benten Technologies, INC. · NIH-10384548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help older adults, especially those who might not have easy access to healthcare, by using friendly community health workers and a new mobile app called eREACH that makes it easier for them to get health screenings, referrals, and helpful health information through fun videos.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benten Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manassas, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $456,161 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG076186-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10384548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those from minority backgrounds or underserved populations, who may struggle to access healthcare services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 years old or those who do not face barriers to healthcare access may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance healthcare access for older adults, particularly those from underserved populations, by utilizing community health workers (CHWs) and mobile health technology. The project will develop a mobile platform called eREACH that enables CHWs to conduct electronic screenings, provide referrals, and deliver health education through engaging animated videos. By automating follow-up communications and streamlining the referral process, the program seeks to improve appointment attendance and linkage to necessary healthcare services. This approach addresses barriers that prevent older adults, especially African Americans, from receiving adequate healthcare.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve healthcare access and outcomes for older adults in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mobile health interventions can effectively improve healthcare access and outcomes in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Benten Technologies, INC.
Manassas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Tony Xuyen — Benten Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ma, Tony Xuyen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.