# TOPIC 423 - SCREENING FOR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES IN CANCER PATIENTS

> **NIH NIH N43** · PIECES TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2021 · $400,000

## Abstract

Social conditions in which we live may be a greater predictor of life expectancy and cancer risk and
prognosis than other factors traditionally discussed. Failure to obtain screening information regarding social
determinants of health can no longer be considered acceptable. This application’s goal is to optimize
screening methodology and coordination of patient assistance programs in the community. We will address
the fundamental causes of health inequities with a screening and intervention program in collaboration with
community partners, Stephenson NCI Designated Cancer Center (SCC) and community cancer centers in both
urban and rural sites. The successful collaboration of Parkland, PCCI and Pieces in Dallas is intended to be
replicated and the IT software operationalized to all sites in Oklahoma and then it should be generalized to
NCORP sites across the country. The team will pilot test the software and evaluate its ease of use for
stakeholders including medical care and community service providers, cancer patients, social workers,
patient navigators and administrators. The EMR will be updated to include the social needs in the problem
list and referrals for services requested (and if services are successfully obtained). Each stakeholder will
recommend quality improvements and continue improvement cycles until the processes are optimized.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10504102
- **Project number:** 75N91021C00050-0-9999-1
- **Recipient organization:** PIECES TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** RUBEN AMARASINGHAM
- **Activity code:** N43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $400,000
- **Award type:** —
- **Project period:** 2021-09-16 → 2022-06-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10504102

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10504102, TOPIC 423 - SCREENING FOR SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES IN CANCER PATIENTS (75N91021C00050-0-9999-1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10504102. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*