Basic Needs Navigation Intervention to Address Multidimensional Adversity in African Americans With Diabetic Kidney Disease

Multidimensional adversity, defined as having three or more social adversities such as housing instability, food insecurity, transportation needs, utility needs, interpersonal safety, and financial strain impacts the complex self-management of DKD and negatively impacts health outcomes. Evidence suggests patient navigation programs may be a promising strategy to improve health outcomes in low-income individuals with chronic disease. However, there is limited evidence on the use of patient navigator programs to address multidimensional adversity in individuals with chronic disease. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to address this gap in knowledge.

Study overview: This will be accomplished using a two-arm pilot randomized control trial. Fifty (50) African American adults with DKD experiencing multidimensional adversity will be randomized into one of two arms: 1) Intervention arm and 2) Enhanced usual care arm.

Description of intervention: Participants randomized to the intervention arm will receive the manualized study intervention which includes three components 1) DKD education, 2) Individualized basic needs navigation, and 3) Lifestyle coaching and skills training. Participants will be provided a FORA 2-in-1 device with glucose test strips to allow testing at least once a day. The device automatically uploads blood pressure and glucose readings to a secure server in real time and the health educator will have access to this secure server. Readings will be used to guide lifestyle coaching and skills training. All participants will be assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-months for clinical outcomes (hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, lipids), self-care behaviors (diet, exercise, and medication adherence), and quality of life (SF-12).

Control arm (Enhanced usual care arm): Participants randomized to the control arm will receive the manualized study intervention which incudes only DKD education.

All participants will be assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-months for clinical outcomes (hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, lipids), self-care behaviors (diet, exercise, and medication adherence), and quality of life (SF-12).

Inclusion criteria

• self- report as Black/African American
• age ≥18
• screen positive for 1 or more adversities using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening tool
• diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with HbA1c≥8
• chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• able to communicate in English.

Exclusion criteria

• does not identify as Black/African American
• age <18
• no diagnosis of T2DM and CKD
• cognitive impairment at screening visit
• active psychosis
• active alcohol or drug abuse/dependency
• life expectancy <12 months
• participation in other diabetes/CKD trials
• unable to communicate in English.