# ConnectedNest: a digital platform connecting individuals with cancer to social care

> **NIH NIH R42** · XANTHOSHEALTH, INC. · 2024 · $954,983

## Abstract

SUMMARY
ConnectedNest, a novel electronic social care referral platform developed by XanthosHealth, addresses the
impact of social determinants of health (SDoH) on individuals facing cancer. Following a successful SBIR
Phase I and a pilot study in collaboration with the Minnesota Cancer Alliance and 14 community-based
organizations (CBOs), Phase II aims to enhance the platform's technical infrastructure, extend integration
capabilities, and conduct a randomized clinical trial involving 300 adults in multi-site oncology clinics. The trial
will assess ConnectedNest's efficacy in connecting individuals with social and community services, improving
quality of life, and influencing factors such as ease of social care access, emergency department utilization,
and patient engagement. The project aligns with public health goals by providing an innovative, cost-effective,
and scalable solution to mitigate SDoH barriers in the cancer care continuum, with potential broader
applications in clinical and community settings. The collaboration with the University of Minnesota underscores
the project's commitment to advancing research in healthcare technology and improving outcomes for
individuals facing cancer.
Under Aim 1, enhancements include the development of user interfaces catering to social workers, community
health workers, and caregivers, alongside the creation of a community advisory board portal for efficient CBO
program management. Efforts to increase accessibility for priority populations and expand the survey
architecture to accommodate electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) underscore a commitment to
inclusivity and comprehensive data collection.
Aim 2 propels the initiative into a randomized clinical trial involving 300 adults undergoing active cancer
therapy or in survivorship. Patient-reported metrics will be gathered at baseline and days 30, 60, and 90,
including instances of reported social or community needs, connections with services (primary outcome), and
measures of quality of life. The trial also explores secondary outcomes like ease of social care access,
emergency department utilization, and patient engagement, providing a holistic evaluation.
This innovative solution has the potential to serve as a cost-effective and scalable model, enhancing the
capacity to connect individuals with social and community services. Beyond oncology, the project's broader
impact extends to community health settings, aligning with the overarching goal of addressing SDoH barriers
and fostering improved outcomes for individuals facing cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11003527
- **Project number:** 1R42CA295106-01
- **Recipient organization:** XANTHOSHEALTH, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** David A Haynes
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $954,983
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-20 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11003527

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11003527, ConnectedNest: a digital platform connecting individuals with cancer to social care (1R42CA295106-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11003527. Licensed CC0.

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