Sunday, April 27, 2025
4/27/2025
Accelerating Cancer Screening - HealthLinc, Inc., a Federally Qualified Health Center in Northern Indiana, will expand access to colorectal cancer screenings through a partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCMCCC). The colorectal cancer (CRC) burden is heightened among uninsured, underinsured, and under-resourced individuals due to the cultural and environmental influences that impact access and follow-through with preventive screenings. This could range from financial barriers that keep patients from their appointment, transportation issues, or COVID-19 related fears. HealthLinc will focus outreach and expansion efforts on the communities of greatest need in East Chicago (Lake County), Valparaiso (Porter County), Michigan City (LaPorte County), and La Porte (LaPorte County). In these communities in 2021, HealthLinc served approximately 24,480 patients: 60% of our total patient population in Northern Indiana. The 2020 UDS national rate for colorectal cancer screening was 40.09%, and UDS Indiana rate for colorectal cancer screening was 40%. HealthLinc’s clinical colorectal cancer screening rate goal is to reach 60% and to expand access in underserved areas. In our targeted communities listed above, there has been a proven rate of higher incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer (2014-2019) when compared to the state and national rates, except for Porter County, which aligns with the state average (14.9). HealthLinc will leverage their existing 2019 Moonshot Initiative partnership with UCMCCC. This expansion will improve outreach effectiveness, enhance educational programs, evaluate program impact, and expand the number of screenings in Northern Indiana. The expanded project will target individuals who otherwise would not have access to these services. Patients will engage through HealthLinc’s clinical care team, community outreach referrals, reminders sent out to current patients who are at higher risk, and more. We will strive to meet patients where they live, work, play, pray, and seek health care. Over the two years of the COVID pandemic, HealthLinc was able to maintain a CRC screening rate of close to 60% with nearly 3,500 FIT/FOBT and 1,100 colonoscopies performed. As a partner, the Cancer Center will lead colorectal cancer training for HealthLinc outreach staff and provide health education to community stakeholders. The UCMCCC and HealthLinc will also collaborate to build community stakeholder relationships and facilitate the formation of a community advisory board (CAB). The UCMCCC will provide guidance and expertise on process and outreach improvement at the end of Year 1 and Year 2 with an analysis of HealthLinc’s outcomes and processes producing feedback that will be implemented as quality improvement at the end of the second year. Grant Number: H80CS06662
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).