This study reviewed 130 papers to see if community health workers (CHWs) provide good value for money in health programs. It found that CHW programs are cost-effective in most cases, especially when they are well-trained, supported, and linked to health facilities. Programs that combine CHWs with digital tools or cover several health areas work better than those focused on one … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Prioritize CHWs: A Decade of Economic Evaluation Evidence Suggests CHWs are More Cost-Effective Than Alternatives
Policy
Synthesising key findings from Indonesia’s first civil society-led forum on primary health care: PHC forum, Jakarta, 13-14 November 2023
The 2023 PHC Forum in Jakarta brought together 783 participants from around the world to discuss how to strengthen primary health care (PHC) and improve health equity. Key themes included investing in PHC to achieve universal health coverage, empowering communities as active partners, supporting community health workers with fair pay and conditions, increasing funding, using … [Read more...] about Synthesising key findings from Indonesia’s first civil society-led forum on primary health care: PHC forum, Jakarta, 13-14 November 2023
Accelerating Decent Work: Formalizing Home Care and Community Health Workers
This report shows that many home-based and community health workers still face poor working conditions, like low pay, long hours, and lack of legal protections, especially women. It highlights the need to treat care work as real work, with fair pay and rights, to reduce abuse, support gender equality, and improve the quality of care. Recognizing and protecting these workers … [Read more...] about Accelerating Decent Work: Formalizing Home Care and Community Health Workers
Understanding Available Data Sources to Estimate the Size and Distribution of Community Health Workers in the United States
This study looked at national data to estimate how many Community Health Workers (CHWs) are in the U.S. and how they are spread across states. It used three data sources, which gave different numbers, ranging from 7 to 35 CHWs per 100,000 people. The study also checked if states with CHW certification or payment programs had more CHWs but found no clear difference. More … [Read more...] about Understanding Available Data Sources to Estimate the Size and Distribution of Community Health Workers in the United States
Achieving Gender Equity in the Community Health Workforce
There is robust and compelling evidence that community health workers play an essential role in delivering life-saving healthcare globally. But women, who make up 70% of this workforce, face significant gender-based challenges including safety concerns, inadequate pay, and limited career advancement. As over 40 countries in Africa have made commitments to professionalize … [Read more...] about Achieving Gender Equity in the Community Health Workforce

