The Strength of the HealthConnect Hub

SWACH regularly works with the Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE) to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs and efforts. Working together, we recently concluded a deep review of the HealthConnect Hub and, more specifically, HealthConnect Pathways.

Understanding the HealthConnect Hub and Pathways

The HealthConnect Hub is a SWACH program designed to serve as a care coordination platform in Southwest Washington. The hub connects community members to resources ranging from physical health, behavioral health, and social services through an advanced network of referrals. HealthConnect also helps participants navigate fragmented or siloed systems.

Pathways are the specific needs for resources a participant has. Each participant may need multiple pathways opened by Community-Based Workers to access support for overlapping needs or conditions.

HealthConnect Hub and Pathways have profoundly impacted the communities they serve. For many participants, this system has improved the following:

• Health and health access

• Mental/behavioral health

• Access to other social services

• Empowerment

• Navigating the effects of COVID-19

“Before, I was just really anxious about a lot of stuff; I’m worried about a lot of things. Through working with both of them [CHWs], it’s put me at ease. Because, like I said, I know there’s help out there.”

— HealthConnect Pathways Participant

Long-term Impact of the HealthConnect Hub Pathways Program

Average pathways opened per person, per county

Important findings about the hub

Another key finding is centered around emergency department visits. HealthConnect Pathways participants visit the emergency department less over time than those who were referred but never enrolled, decreasing from 4.5 visits on average to 3.6. People who were referred, but never enrolled to receive Pathways support, increased from 3.8 emergency department visits per person to 4 visits over that same time frame.

During that same window, usage of mental health care increased by 9.9%, specialty care by 5.8%, and primary care by 5.1%.

HealthConnect continues to add value to our community, especially to marginalized and underrepresented populations. As we strive to create health equity across our region, this innovative hub leads people to access the care they need.

These statistics come from evaluations done by CORE. Learn more at southwestach.org/healthconnect-hub.