Evidence-Based CHW Program Addresses Unmet Social Needs and Generates Positive Return on Investment

Authors: Shreya Kangovi, Nandita Mitra, David Grande, Judith A. Long, and David A. Asch

Interventions that address socioeconomic determinants of health are receiving considerable attention from policy makers and health care executives, attention fueled in part by expected returns on investment. However, many current estimates of returns on investment are likely overestimated. This study presents a return-on-investment analysis based on a randomized controlled trial of Individualized Management for Patient-Centered Targets (IMPaCT), a standardized community health worker intervention that addresses unmet social needs for disadvantaged people. We found that every dollar invested in the intervention would return $2.47 to an average Medicaid payer within the fiscal year.