Abstract 7353: Evaluating the LinC CHW program's effect on emergency department visits and health outcomes in cancer patients

Abstract This study examines the impact of the Liaisons in Care (LinC) Community Health Worker (CHW) program on emergency department (ED) utilization and survival outcomes among cancer patients at the University of Chicago Medicine. Designed to reduce ED visits by enhancing patient engagement, the LinC program provides targeted support through follow-ups, resource provision, and coordinated care. Our cohort included 72 cancer patients enrolled in LinC from January 2022 to December 2023, each with at least one recorded home visit or extensive engagement through other encounters. Key engagement metrics indicated that 83% of all encounters were CHW-initiated, with 77% conducted virtually. ED utilization decreased, with the average number of visits per patient dropping from 1.68 visits before program enrollment to 0.81 visits post-enrollment. Patients experienced an average interval of 102 days between ED visits and a 30-day readmission rate of 35.3%. The median survival time for the cohort was 557 days, with a one-year survival probability of 66.7%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference in survival outcomes based on diagnosis timing: patients diagnosed within six months of enrollment had a lower median survival time (284 days) compared to those diagnosed before six months of enrollment (835.5 days; p = 0.005).These findings highlight the potential of CHW programs to improve healthcare outcomes for high-risk cancer populations by enabling timely interventions and providing access to resources. The results support the expansion of similar CHW-led initiatives to reduce health disparities and enhance the quality of life for cancer patients. Future analyses will incorporate social determinants of health (SDOH) to further refine engagement strategies and optimize CHW allocation across service lines. Citation Format: Tishiya Carey, Alexis Roach, Elizabeth Hansen. Evaluating the LinC CHW program's effect on emergency department visits and health outcomes in cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7353.