Implementing a Community Health Worker Model to Address Health-Related Social Needs in a Community Pharmacy Network: A Pragmatic Evaluation

Authors: Christopher J Daly, Durdana N Iqbal, En-Ling Chen, Jessica Anderson, Walter Gibson, Debanjan Paul, Quyen Nguyen, John Croce, Alec Gillies, Surrey M Walton, David M Jacobs

This study tested a program in New York where pharmacy staff were trained as community health workers to screen for social needs like food, housing, and transportation, and connect patients to support. Out of more than 1,000 people screened, nearly half of referrals were successfully resolved. The program also proved cost-effective, saving far more than it cost to run. The findings show that pharmacies can be a practical and sustainable place to address social needs if supported by the right policies and reimbursement systems.