Community Health Worker Intervention for Healthy Aging

(aCT Trial)

Overseen By William Baker

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: George Mason University

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate how a community health worker (CHW) program, called the aCT CHW intervention, can assist older adults in maintaining their health. Participants will have access to CHWs who provide health education, screenings, and support at senior centers for a few hours each week over four months. The trial will compare participants' blood pressure, physical activity, diet, and mental well-being with those who continue their usual activities without CHWs. It is open to individuals aged 60 and older who are already part of a senior center meal program and speak English. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable research that could enhance community health services for older adults.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the aCT CHW intervention is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that programs involving community health workers (CHWs) for older adults are generally well-received. A review of studies found that these programs can improve health without causing major side effects. Community health workers assist by offering health education, check-ups, and support, which are considered safe and helpful for older adults. Specifically, one study found a 64% drop in hospital visits when CHWs helped with care transitions. This suggests that the CHW approach is both effective and safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention for healthy aging because it introduces a hands-on, personalized approach to healthcare for seniors. Unlike standard care, which often lacks on-site support, this intervention employs state-certified CHWs to deliver health promotion, disease prevention services, and screenings directly at senior centers in the community. This proactive and community-centered method aims to improve health outcomes by directly engaging with older adults where they gather, offering consistent, face-to-face support, and advocacy tailored to their needs.

What evidence suggests that the aCT CHW intervention is effective for healthy aging?

Research has shown that community health worker (CHW) programs can improve the health of older adults. In this trial, participants in the aCT CHW intervention arm will receive services from state-certified CHWs, including health promotion, disease prevention, advocacy, and health screenings. Studies have found that such programs can reduce hospital visits by 64% and improve management of long-term health issues. CHWs often facilitate access to preventive care for older adults, enhancing their healthcare experience. For those with complex health needs, CHW-led programs can encourage healthy habits and reduce the need for frequent healthcare services. Overall, CHWs play a crucial role in supporting healthier aging by promoting lifestyle changes and providing essential health services. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Martha Kubik, PhD

Principal Investigator

George Mason University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 60 and older who speak English and are enrolled in the meal program at one of the participating senior centers. People who don't speak English or aren't part of these specific centers can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must speak English

Participants must be registered as a meal program participant at a participating senior center

I am 60 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speakers

I use meal programs at a senior center that is not part of this study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Community Health Workers deliver health promotion and disease prevention services at senior centers

4 months

Weekly visits (4 hours per week)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in blood pressure, physical activity, and other outcomes

4-5 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• aCT CHW intervention

Trial Overview

The study tests a new support program where community health workers help seniors at certain centers for 4 hours a week over 4 months. Results will be compared to other centers that continue their usual services, looking at blood pressure, activity, diet, and well-being.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: aCT CHW Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

State-certified CHWs employed and supervised by Kentucky Homeplace, a local organization that provides training and CHW services to local communities, will deliver the intervention at three senior centers 4 hours per week for 4 months, which include health promotion and disease prevention services and programs, advocacy, and health screenings.

Group II: Usual practice Active Control 1 Intervention

Three other senior centers who have agreed to study participation will serve as comparison sites, where older adults who visit the centers will continue to access usual services which have not typically included on-site CHW services.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

George Mason University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

60

Recruited

50,200+

University of Kentucky

Collaborator

Trials

198

Recruited

224,000+

Citations

1.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07428174

An Aging Healthy Intervention for Older Adults Delivered by ...

The aCT Study will develop, implement and evaluate a community health worker (CHW) integrated model of care delivery for older adults that is ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8263299/

Community Health Worker Interventions for Older Adults with ...

Large RCTs have demonstrated the effectiveness of CHW interventions on health outcomes and utilization in the general adult population with multimorbidity.

3.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-healthy-aging-3-2026-82f25

Community Health Worker Intervention for Healthy Aging ...

The aCT Study will develop, implement and evaluate a community health worker (CHW) integrated model of care delivery for older adults that ...

4.

chwcentral.org

chwcentral.org/wp-content/uploads/Community-Health-Worker-Integration-with-and-Effectiveness-in-Health-Care-and-Public-Health-in-the-United-States.pdf

Community-Health-Worker-Integration-with-and- ...

Several studies have demonstrated that CHWs can improve the management of chronic conditions, increase access to preventive care, improve patients' experience ...

5.

cicoa.org

cicoa.org/community-health-workers-a-scalable-proactive-approach-to-care/

Community Health Workers: CICOA's Proactive Approach ...

A 64% decrease in hospitalizations after CHW intervention (average of 1.3 hospitalizations in the 3 months before intervention dropped to 0.4 in ...

6.

ahrq.gov

ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/comhealthwork/comhwork.pdf

Outcomes of Community Health Worker Interventions

Regarding outcomes, limited evidence (five studies) suggests that CHW interventions can improve participant knowledge when compared with alternative ...