# HCSN-Health Communication & Social Needs

> **NIH NIH P30** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $21,064

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – Health Communication and Social Needs Core
The primary goal of the Health Communication and Social Needs Core (HCSN) of the Washington University
Center for Diabetes Translation Research (WU-CDTR) is to provide expertise in health communication, health
literacy, and social needs methodology to support diabetes translation research. To eliminate health disparities in
diabetes outcomes and promote diabetes health equity, the HCSN will assist WU-CDTR investigators in
advancing the comprehension, use, and relevance of diabetes prevention information by priority populations;
addressing the complexities of how social needs impact diabetes outcomes and how such effects vary by
individuals and subgroups; and facilitating strategic community partnerships with non-health care and social
service agencies to further integrate social needs solutions into diabetes translation research. The unique
combination of health communication, health literacy, and social needs services provided by the HCSN Core
reflects the increasing importance and necessity of assuring the relevance of interventions for specific
populations. The Core refers to social determinants of health as system and policy influences on health, and
recognizes the need for supplementing efforts with acute safety net services for “social needs” such as food,
housing, and transportation that can interfere with diabetes management efforts. The HCSN Core focuses on
achieving diabetes equity for priority health disparity populations (e.g., Blacks/African Americans,
Hispanics/Latinos, socioeconomically disadvantaged rural populations, etc.) by enhancing the relevance and
impact of health information and incorporating new approaches for addressing social needs.
 The HCSN will assist WU-CDTR investigators to develop and apply the knowledge and skills needed to
translate research to improve diabetes outcomes, reduce disparities, and achieve health equity through the
following specific aims which will: (1) improve health communication and health literacy of diabetes information to
increase reach, comprehension, effectiveness, and use among priority populations; (2) advance the integration of
social needs data and solutions into diabetes translation research; and (3) build team capacity in the skills
essential for effective communication and integration of social needs into diabetes translation research.
 The HCSN Core will continue to bring together WU-CDTR scholars and underrepresented researchers
and provide them with services such as applying and integrating health communication and health literacy best
practices; developing and testing social needs interventions; facilitating strategic community partnerships with
non-healthcare sectors; and facilitating virtual group consultations on health inequities and social needs and
health communication research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10289786
- **Project number:** 2P30DK092950-11
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MATTHEW W. KREUTER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $21,064
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-09-20 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10289786

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10289786, HCSN-Health Communication & Social Needs (2P30DK092950-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10289786. Licensed CC0.

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