Building Connections

Launched by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · Jul 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Building Connections study is designed to help improve health care for people in communities that often face extra challenges, especially around cancer, weight management, and mental health. The program will work with clinics across Massachusetts to offer support for managing obesity, getting recommended cancer screenings for colorectal (colon) and cervical cancer, and addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The goal is to make sure everyone has better access to proven health care services that can prevent or catch these conditions early.

Adults who speak English or Spanish may be able to join if they meet certain criteria. For example, people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (which means they are considered obese) can participate in the weight management part. Others might qualify if they are due for cancer screenings—like colon cancer screening for those aged 45 to 75 who haven’t had recommended tests in the past several years, or cervical cancer screening for women or people with a cervix aged 30 to 65 who are overdue for their tests. People experiencing moderate to severe depression or anxiety symptoms may also be eligible. Participants will receive support and interventions tailored to their needs through their local clinics. However, some people won’t be able to join, such as those who are currently pregnant, have serious mental health conditions, or have had recent cancer-related treatments. The study is not yet recruiting, but if you think you or a loved one might qualify, it could be a helpful way to get extra support for these important health concerns.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * The general inclusion criteria involve being 18+, speaking English or Spanish, and meeting one or more of the following criteria:
• • Obesity: Patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater (i.e., obese category).
• Cancer screening: Average-risk patients without recommended colorectal or cervical cancer screenings for their age group and biological sex. Specifically:
• • Colon Cancer (CRC) inclusion criteria: Patients aged 45-75 who are due for screenings, with last FIT longer than 1 year ago, last colonoscopy longer than 10 years ago, and last Cologuard longer than 3 years ago.
• • And/or
• • Cervical cancer inclusion criteria: Women and patients with a cervix aged 30-65 who are due for screening: with last pap longer than 3 years ago; last co-test longer than 5 years ago; last primary HPV screening longer than 5 years ago.
• • Mental health: Patients with moderate to severe depression or anxiety symptoms.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • The general exclusion criteria are: those with current pregnancy, or the participant is cognitively impaired, not having a visit to the primary care clinic in the prior 2 years, and speaking a language other than English or Spanish.
• • Exclusion criteria for obesity intervention: currently taking an anti-obesity medication (AOM); had prior metabolic or bariatric surgery or planning to have this surgery in the next 6 months, currently enrolled in an intensive lifestyle program.
• Exclusion criteria for cancer screening intervention include:
• • Colon Cancer (CRC) exclusion criteria: has colorectal cancer documented in the problem list; has ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease documented in the problem list
• • Cervical cancer exclusion criteria: has cervical cancer documented in the problem list; has had a prior hysterectomy.
• • Exclusion criteria for mental health: include patients with active suicidality, active substance use disorder, a history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or who are already receiving behavioral health care (therapy sessions in the past 3 months or an appointment upcoming in the next month).