Pilot-Testing Strategies to Improve Outcomes for Youth With Type 2 Diabetes by Addressing Health-Related Social Needs

BEHAVIORAL

Tailored Resources

Participants will be offered resource lists and warm referrals specific to health-related social needs (HRSN) on a screener. Their clinical team will be sent screener results and asked to talk about and address HRSN at the visit without additional guidance. Participants will be offered physical resources related to disclosed HRSN (e.g., food box for food insecurity).

BEHAVIORAL

Universal Empowerment

Regardless of disclosed health-related social needs (HRSN), participants will be offered resource lists and warm referral links for food, housing, and transportation needs. At clinic visit, all will be offered physical resources and the opportunity to meet with a social worker. In place of screening results, the clinical team will be sent a message requesting that, when seeing the patient in clinic, they use the provided, easily accessible empowering script about HRSN.

BEHAVIORAL

Text Messages

Participants will receive text messages once per month for 3 months. Messages will state that community-based resources to address health-related social needs (HRSN) are available if needed, with a link to opt-in to resource lists and warm referral links. Messages will include contact information for the study and clinical teams for optional HRSN discussion. Community Health Worker will not be assigned.

BEHAVIORAL

Community Health Workers (CHW)

Participants will be assigned a trained CHW to support connection with resources to address HRSN.

Acceptability of Intervention: Health-Related Social Needs Screener

Time frame: at baseline clinic visit

4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure; completed by all adolescents and caregivers. Questions are specific to acceptability of the screening questionnaire used to assess health-related social needs, with responses ranging from completely disagree to completely agree (5-point scale). A mean of 4 or higher indicates acceptability.

Acceptability of Intervention: Tailored Approach to Address Health-Related Social Needs

Time frame: 1-week after baseline; 3 months

4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure; completed by adolescents and caregivers assigned to arms using a tailored approach (not universal empowerment). Questions are specific to acceptability of the tailored approach used to address health-related social needs, with responses ranging from completely disagree to completely agree (5-point scale). A mean of 4 or higher indicates acceptability.

Acceptability of Intervention: Universal Empowerment Approach to Address Health-Related Social Needs

Time frame: at baseline visit; 1-week after baseline; 3 months

4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure; completed by adolescents and caregivers assigned to arms using a universal empowerment approach (not tailored approach). Questions are specific to acceptability of the universal empowerment approach used to address health-related social needs, with responses ranging from completely disagree to completely agree (5-point scale). A mean of 4 or higher indicates acceptability.

Acceptability of Intervention: Text Messages to Address Health-Related Social Needs

Time frame: 3 months

4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure; completed by adolescents and caregivers assigned to arms using text messages without community health workers to support resource connection. Questions are specific to acceptability of the text messages without community health worker approach used to address health-related social needs, with responses ranging from completely disagree to completely agree (5-point scale). A mean of 4 or higher indicates acceptability.

Acceptability of Intervention: Community Health Workers to Address Health-Related Social Needs

Time frame: 3 months

4-item Acceptability of Intervention Measure; completed by adolescents and caregivers assigned to arms using text messages with community health workers to support resource connection. Questions are specific to acceptability of community health workers in addition to text messages to address health-related social needs, with responses ranging from completely disagree to completely agree (5-point scale). A mean of 4 or higher indicates acceptability.

Fidelity of Intervention

Time frame: 1-week after baseline; 3 months; 6 months

Investigator developed survey around receipt of intervention components including resources requested and used, community health worker interactions, and text message receipt; completed by adolescents and caregivers in all arms. Frequency and types of resources used, as well as community organizations with which respondents interacted will be reported. Frequency and duration of contact with community health workers will be reported for those assigned to arms using community health workers.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.