Connecting Patients to the Resources They Need Most
At UChicago Medicine, Izzy Velasquez works with people recovering from strokes, seizures and heart conditions. She helps them understand their care, connect to resources like food or transportation and adjust to life after a major diagnosis. With strong ties to the South Side and a background in public safety, Izzy builds trust and makes sure patients don't feel alone as they manage their health.
Community Health Worker Program
UChicago Medicine's Liaisons in Care (LinC) program employs Community Health Workers (CHWs) to connect people with healthcare and social services. They play a key role in building trust and helping patients with conditions like asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, stroke, maternal health issues and sickle cell disease.
6,891
patients served
1,813
referrals made to transportation, food and housing resources
58%
reduction in hospitalizations for LinC Program patients
Data period: 2021-2024
Partnering to Improve Community Health
Through the LinC Program, the Medical Center invested $1.25 million in grants over five years to help community and faith-based organizations hire CHWs, which creates jobs, expands access to care, and helps community members understand how to prevent and manage chronic conditions.
LinC grantee program highlights (July 2023 – December 2024)
- Increased health promotion, education and access to healthcare services and provided resource navigation and social services for women in underserved communities
- 997 community members screened for social service and healthcare needs
- With three years of LinC funding, Equal Hope has developed and maintained a South Side cervical cancer CHW program, hiring two full-time CHWs
- 1,531 community members screened who needed primary care and/or specialty care appointments
- Health Outreach and Prevention Education (HOPE) program focuses on HIV-related education and outreach in community settings, emergency departments and through mobile HIV testing at community partner events
- 506 community members screened for care needs
- Harm reduction program focuses on overdose prevention as well as providing at-home HIV test kits and case management
- 1,945 community members reached at community events, health fairs and street outreach
- A CHW provides health education on topics ranging from asthma awareness to insurance enrollment. The CHW connects people to resources such as food pantries and primary care providers.
- 621 primary and specialty care appointments scheduled
- CHWs increase awareness of high blood pressure and diabetes self-management by helping people find care and resources for basic needs and social services.
- 356 follow-up appointments scheduled for clients
Tackling Chronic Diseases, Together
UChicago Medicine partners with local organizations to address chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes and breast cancer. Through education, screenings and referrals, these grantee-led programs help community members manage their health and overcome barriers to care.
Chronic disease grantee highlights (January 2023 – December 2024)
Chicago Family Health Center
CFHC’s Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP) program empowers patients with hypertension and related conditions to better manage their health through education, outreach and connection to clinical services.
- 1,096 new participants enrolled in the SMBP program
- 165 outreach opportunities and educational events held
- 3,912 community members reached through events, summits and resource fairs
- 4,281 community members screened for healthcare needs and barriers to care
- 1,125 community members referred to resources
- 621 primary and specialty care appointments scheduled
My Density Matters
This organization educates South Side women about breast density and breast cancer risk, and connects them to screening and patient navigation resources.
- 20 educational events held
- 3,252 women reached at health fairs, outreach and other events
- 638 community members educated at events
- 607 self-administered screening guides completed
- 124 referrals made to agencies for patient navigation
Chronic Disease
Improving health data equity for AAPI communities
Collaborating for better breast cancer outcomes
Leading hospitals unite to drive equity in treatment and research.
A new center for cancer equity
A focused effort tackles the root causes of unequal cancer care.
Connecting transplant access to chronic disease care
Rethinking diabetes diagnosis
Improved tools help catch overlooked forms of diabetes in diverse patients.