Screening for Poverty And Related Social Determinants to Improve Knowledge of and Links to Resources (SPARK)

Screening for Poverty And Related Social Determinants and Intervening to Improve Knowledge of and Links to Resources (SPARK): a Randomized Controlled Study

The SPARK RCT will test the impact of engagement with a Community Health Worker who is embedded in interprofessional primary care teams on change in estimated annual income at 6 months for people living in poverty.

Population: Patients seen by interprofessional primary care teams who are living on estimated annual incomes that are below the Canadian Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO)

Intervention: A Community Health Worker who implements an intervention that addresses a number of social needs, including improving income security, access to prescription medications, access to housing, reducing social isolation, paying for utilities and access to transportation

Control: Information on community resources on social needs

Outcome: Change in estimated annual income between baseline and at 6 months

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18+ years old AND live in a household with an income below the Low-Income Cut-OFF AND agree to receive assistance with social needs

Exclusion Criteria:

• Has worked with a similar CHW or intervention in the past 1 year.