Social connections and community help improving diabetes care equity
Official title: Social Connectedness and the Impact of the CMS Accountable Health Communities Model on Racial Equity of Diabetes Care
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11423401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with type 2 diabetes and behavioral health needs will examine how a community-health program affects diabetes care and racial equity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2025 |
| Project end | September 29, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 5U18DP006906-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes and behavioral health concerns who live in regions implementing the AHC model and are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or both.
✕Less likely to help
People without type 2 diabetes or without behavioral health needs, or those in regions not implementing the AHC model, may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a natural experiment across 13 regions to see how the CMS Accountable Health Communities model changes how people with type 2 diabetes manage their care and stay engaged with services. It will look at whether better social support and linkages to community resources improve diabetes management and behavioral health outcomes. Researchers will compare regions with and without the model over time to understand the potential benefits for racial and ethnic groups. The findings could guide policies to align health care, social services, and community programs to reduce disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform policies that improve diabetes care access and reduce disparities through stronger community and health system collaboration.
How similar studies have gone: Prior implementations of community-health collaborations have shown potential improvements in care coordination and reduced hospitalizations in some settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez, Hector P. — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez, Hector P.
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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.