This review article explores the various definitions and descriptions of CHWs in the literature. It also identifies common themes in these definitions to better understand the essential characteristics of health workers classified as CHWs and to distinguish them from other healthcare providers. By describing the various categories of CHWs, this resource helps to clarify the use … [Read more...] about Who is a community health worker? — a systematic review of definitions
Europe
Community health workers for universal health-care coverage: from fragmentation to synergy
To achieve universal health coverage, health systems will have to reach into every community, including the poorest and hardest to access. Since Alma-Ata, inconsistent support of community health workers (CHWs) and failure to integrate them into the health system have impeded full realization of their potential contribution in the context of primary health care. Scaling up and … [Read more...] about Community health workers for universal health-care coverage: from fragmentation to synergy
Changing Lives Through Social Accountability: Case Studies from World Vision’s UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) Programme Partnership Arrangement
Case studies in eleven countries including Zambia, Armenia, and Senegal, utilized World Vision’s social accountability approach, Citizen Voice and Action (CVA), to address public service improvement. This approach aims to link community members and organizations with each other and also to link these communities with service providers, local governments, and national policies. … [Read more...] about Changing Lives Through Social Accountability: Case Studies from World Vision’s UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) Programme Partnership Arrangement
Task Sharing Implant Insertion by Community Health Working: Not Just Can It Work, but How Might It Work Practically and With Impact in the Real World
Demonstrating that a health service, such as providing contraceptive implants, can be safely task shared to less highly trained workers is crucial but is only one step toward effective implementation at scale. Providers need dedicated time, enough clients, supplies, supervision, and other system support, allowing them to maintain their competency, confidence, and … [Read more...] about Task Sharing Implant Insertion by Community Health Working: Not Just Can It Work, but How Might It Work Practically and With Impact in the Real World
One million CHWs in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2015
During the past 10 years, community health workers (CHWs) have emerged as a focal point of international discussions on primary health-care systems. Although lay community-based health workers have been active for at least 60 years, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 prompted new discussion of how these workers can help to extend primary health care from facilities … [Read more...] about One million CHWs in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2015
