Pharmacist Involvement in Addressing Public Health Priorities and Community Needs: The Allegheny County Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project

DOI

10.5888/pcd18.200490

Authors

Jennifer Padden Elliott, Duquesne University, Center for Integrative Health, School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Stephanie N. Christian, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Katie Doong, Giant Eagle Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Hannah E. Hardy, Allegheny County Health Department, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Program, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dara D. Mendez, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tiffany L. Gary-Webb, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-28-2021

Publication Title

Preventing chronic disease

Volume

18

Abstract

Community-clinical linkages are connections between community and clinical sectors to improve population health, and community-based pharmacists are well positioned to implement this strategy. We implemented a novel approach to community-clinical linkages in African American communities in which community-based pharmacists implement screenings for chronic disease and social determinants of health, make referrals to clinical and social services, and follow up with patients to support linkage to care in nontraditional health care settings. The community-based pharmacist navigation program works with multisector partners to increase referrals and access to existing health and social service programs. We used a mixed-methods evaluation approach to collect and analyze data on program characteristics and the linkage intervention. From February 2019 to March 2020, 702 African American community members received preventive health screenings, and 508 (72%) were referred to clinical and social services. Pharmacists demonstrated the ability to implement clinical preventive services in nontraditional health care settings and improve access to care through the provision of community-clinical linkages.

Open Access

Green Final

Repository Citation

Elliott, J. P., Christian, S. N., Doong, K., Hardy, H. E., Mendez, D. D., & Gary-Webb, T. L. (2021). Pharmacist Involvement in Addressing Public Health Priorities and Community Needs: The Allegheny County Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project. Preventing chronic disease, 18. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd18.200490