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Building Connections

Building Connections Between Practices, Patients, and Community Health

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

Building Connections studies ways to improve health and health care in communities facing social challenges in Massachusetts. It offers proven programs for weight management, cancer screening, and mental health to adults who qualify.

Building Connections seeks to address health and healthcare inequities in socially vulnerable communities. The project will be conducted in collaboration with clinical practices across Massachusetts, serving a diverse population heavily represented in Community Clinics and Health Centers. The program will offer evidence-based interventions in obesity/weight management, cancer screening, and mental health.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You must be 18 or older, speak English or Spanish, and meet at least one of the health criteria below.
  • Weight management: Have a body mass index (BMI), a measure based on height and weight, of 30 or higher.
  • Cancer screening: Have average cancer risk and be overdue for recommended colon or cervical cancer screening.
  • Colon screening: Be age 45–75 and due for screening. Listed time limits are more than 1 year since a FIT stool test, 10 years since a colonoscopy (an exam inside the colon), and 3 years since a Cologuard stool test.
  • Cervical screening: Be a woman or person with a cervix, age 30–65, and due for screening. Listed time limits are more than 3 years since a Pap test, 5 years since combined Pap and HPV tests, or 5 years since an HPV test alone. These tests check for cell changes or a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
  • Mental health: Have moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Who can't join

  • You are currently pregnant, have problems with thinking or memory, or speak a language other than English or Spanish.
  • You have not visited the primary care clinic in the past 2 years.
  • Weight management: You have had weight-loss surgery or surgery to improve metabolism, or plan to have it in the next 6 months.
  • Weight management: You are already in an intensive lifestyle program.
  • Colon screening: Your medical record lists colon or rectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease. The last two conditions cause swelling in the digestive tract.
  • Cervical screening: Your medical record lists cervical cancer, or you have had surgery to remove your uterus.
  • Mental health: You currently have suicidal thoughts or behavior, a substance use disorder (problems caused by alcohol or drug use), or a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
  • Mental health: You already receive mental health care, with therapy in the past 3 months or an appointment planned in the next month.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * The general inclusion criteria involve being 18+, speaking English or Spanish, and meeting one or more of the following criteria: Obesity: Patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater (i.e., obese category). Cancer screening: Average-risk patients without recommended colorectal or cervical cancer screenings for their age group and biological sex. Specifically: Colon Cancer (CRC) inclusion criteria: Patients aged 45-75 who are due for screenings, with last FIT longer than 1 year ago, last colonoscopy longer than 10 years ago, and last Cologuard longer than 3 years ago. And/or Cervical cancer inclusion criteria: Women and patients with a cervix aged 30-65 who are due for screening: with last pap longer than 3 years ago; last co-test longer than 5 years ago; last primary HPV screening longer than 5 years ago. Mental health: Patients with moderate to severe depression or anxiety symptoms. Exclusion Criteria: * The general exclusion criteria are: those with current pregnancy, or the participant is cognitively impaired, not having a visit to the primary care clinic in the prior 2 years, and speaking a language other than English or Spanish. Exclusion criteria for obesity intervention: had prior metabolic or bariatric surgery or planning to have this surgery in the next 6 months, currently enrolled in an intensive lifestyle program. Exclusion criteria for cancer screening intervention include: Colon Cancer (CRC) exclusion criteria: has colorectal cancer documented in the problem list; has ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease documented in the problem list Cervical cancer exclusion criteria: has cervical cancer documented in the problem list; has had a prior hysterectomy. Exclusion criteria for mental health: include patients with active suicidality, active substance use disorder, a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or who are already receiving behavioral health care (therapy sessions in the past 3 months or an appointment upcoming in the next month).

Study sites (1)

MA