Mass. community health centers awarded $600K

BOSTON (AP) -- Four community health centers in Massachusetts have been awarded a total of $600,000 to support efforts to treat people with asthma, diabetes and cancer in underserved communities.

Health centers in Lynn, Mashpee, Worcester and Worthington will receive up to $75,000 annually for two years.

The grants, which come from a multi-state settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturers, will be used to expand the use of community health workers.

Each of the centers identified goals to use their health workers to help patients receive quality health services and improve access to care in ways that can reduce health disparities and control costs.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley awarded the funding. She said community health workers have skills needed to work with diverse populations and ensure patients receive appropriate care.