Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly being incorporated into health programs because they are assumed to effectively deliver health messages in a culturally relevant manner to disenfranchised communities. Nevertheless, the role of CHWs-who they are, what they do, and how they do it-is tremendously varied. This variability presents a number of challenges for … [Read more...] about Identifying the core elements of effective community health worker programs: a research agenda.
Community Health Workers/Volunteers
When promotoras and technology meet: a qualitative analysis of promotoras’ use of small media to increase cancer screening among South Texas Latinos
Computer-based multimedia technologies can be used to tailor health messages, but promotoras (Spanish-speaking community health workers) rarely use these tools. Promotoras delivered health messages about colorectal cancer screening to medically underserved Latinos in South Texas using two small media formats: a "low-tech" format (flipchart and video) and a "high-tech" format … [Read more...] about When promotoras and technology meet: a qualitative analysis of promotoras’ use of small media to increase cancer screening among South Texas Latinos
Recommendations for developing and sustaining community health workers.
This report provides recommendations for the development and sustenance of community health workers. These recommendations are a result of the San Antonio Community Health Worker Summit held January 2010. Recommendations include defining the workforce, training standards, evaluating financial benefit, strategizing Medicaid reimbursement, and creating support networks … [Read more...] about Recommendations for developing and sustaining community health workers.
COACH trial: a randomized controlled trial of nurse practitioner/community health worker cardiovascular disease risk reduction in urban community health centers: rationale and design.
Despite well-publicized guidelines on the appropriate management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes, implementation of risk-reducing practices remains poor. This paper describes the rationale and design of a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a comprehensive program of CVD risk reduction delivered by nurse practitioner … [Read more...] about COACH trial: a randomized controlled trial of nurse practitioner/community health worker cardiovascular disease risk reduction in urban community health centers: rationale and design.
Improving Breast Cancer Control via the Use of Community Health Workers in South Africa: A Critical Review
Breast cancer is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMCs). We explore community health worker (CHW) programs and describe their potential use in LMCs. We use South Africa as an example of how CHWs could improve access to breast health care because of its middle-income status, existing cancer centers, and history of CHW programs. CHWs could assume three main … [Read more...] about Improving Breast Cancer Control via the Use of Community Health Workers in South Africa: A Critical Review
