Advanced Illness Care Program Utilizing a ‘Five Cornerstone’ Approach in California

Research confirms that there are numerous benefits to utilizing care navigators in health care interventions, especially for Black people diagnosed with a serious illness. The AC Care Alliance created the Advanced Illness Care Program (AICP) to address the unique needs of this population, addressing serious illness care disparities in communities of color and advancing equity. The program builds on the confidence and trust that the African American church has won in communities of color that are often distrustful of the health care system. Developed in 2013 with input from pastors, congregants, health systems, community groups, and national organizations, the AICP addresses the advanced illness care needs of diverse community members in alignment with their spiritual and religious values and preferences. In this model, care navigators are members of the communities they serve, trained in community outreach and holistic advanced illness care wrap around support.

Acknowledging that a serious illness diagnosis affects the totality of a person, the AICP model uses a Five Cornerstone approach, which includes: 1) spiritual needs 2) health needs 3) planning for advance care 4) social needs and 5) caregiving needs.