Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community Health Worker Self-Management Support Intervention Among Low-Income Adults With Diabetes, Seattle, Washington, 2010–2014

INTRODUCTION: Community health workers (CHWs) can improve diabetes outcomes; however, questions remain about translating research findings into practical low-intensity models for safety-net providers. We tested the effectiveness of a home-based low-intensity CHW intervention for improving health outcomes among low-income adults with diabetes. METHODS: Low-income patients with glycated hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) of 8.0% or higher in the 12 months before enrollment from 3 safety-net providers were randomized to a 12-month CHW-delivered diabetes self-management intervention or usual care. CHWs were based at a local health department. The primary outcome was change in HbA(1c) from baseline enrollment to 12 months; secondary outcomes included blood pressure and lipid levels, quality of life, and health care use. RESULTS: The change in HbA(1c) in the intervention group (n = 145) (unadjusted mean of 9.09% to 8.58%, change of −0.51) compared with the control group (n = 142) (9.04% to 8.71%, change of −0.33) was not significant (P = .54). In an analysis of participants with poor glycemic control (HbA(1c) >10%), the intervention group had a 1.23-point greater decrease in HbA(1c) compared with controls (P = .046). For the entire study population, we found a decrease in reported physician visits (P < .001) and no improvement in health-related quality of life (P = .07) in the intervention group compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: A low-intensity CHW-delivered intervention to support diabetes self-management did not significantly improve HbA(1c) relative to usual care. Among the subgroup of participants with poor glycemic control (HbA(1c) >10% at baseline), the intervention was effective.