Resources

Major depression, plus other chronic illness such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and heart failure is common among low-income, culturally diverse safety net care patients. Unfortunately, many of these patients are uncomfortable about either asking their doctor questions about their illness and treatment options and their illness self-care or informing their doctors about their treatment preferences.

This research project is in progress. PCORI will post the research findings on this page within 90 days after the results are final. What is the research about? Serious mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia can make it hard for a person to get the health care they need, and their health problems may not be diagnosed or may get worse.

Diabetes is a complicated disease that can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and eye problems. Patients with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar, follow a diabetic diet, exercise regularly, take multiple medications, and get regular checkups of their blood pressure, cholesterol, eyes, and feet. To assist with organizing these tasks, a community health worker, attached to a patient’s clinic, can help patients understand the care of their diabetes and keep patients in contact with their doctors.

This study extends an existing study in Los Angeles that is partnered between academic and community and client stakeholders. The study has the long-term goal of learning collaboratively how to eliminate disparities in outcomes for persons with depression by improving information and services in inner-city communities of color, using two Los Angeles communities as examples.