An international coalition of organizations representing 80 countries set an aggressive goal of making 2 billion Covid-19 vaccinations available by the end of 2021. Populations prioritized to receive vaccination include high risk and vulnerable persons and frontline healthcare workers. The definition of “frontline healthcare worker”, however, remains ambiguous and is likely to … [Read more...] about Beyond the Rhetoric of Equity: Will the Frontline Healthcare Workers Who Serve the Poor Be Prioritized for the COVID Vaccine?
COVID-19
COVID-19 crisis creates opportunities for community-centered population health: Community health workers at the center
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the US healthcare system and the impacts of underinvestment in public health. Hobert Goldfield and colleagues outlined several state responses to the virus and the importance of CHWs in reducing its spread. The researchers called for governments to recruit greater CHW engagement in state response planning. … [Read more...] about COVID-19 crisis creates opportunities for community-centered population health: Community health workers at the center
COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems
The health workforce in general and CHWs in particular played an instrumental role in curbing the effects of the 2014-2016 Ebola virus outbreak. Lyudmila Neponmnyashchiy and her colleagues provide a brief comparison between the Ebola virus outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the need for sub-Saharan African governments to invest in CHW workforce strengthening and … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Africa needs unprecedented attention to strengthen community health systems
Community health workers reveal COVID-19 disaster in Brazil
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazilian CHWs have received limited access to infection control training and personal protective equipment due to a lack of recognition as health professionals by the government. Gabriela Lotta and her colleagues describe the impacts of these decisions on CHW health and wellbeing. … [Read more...] about Community health workers reveal COVID-19 disaster in Brazil
Protecting community health workers: PPE needs and recommendations for policy action
Demands for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic strained global supply chains, often leaving low- and middle-income countries without a means to protect their health workers. CHWs are no exception. This article provides an overview of PPE required to protect CHWs during a pandemic and makes recommendations for improving supply chain access. … [Read more...] about Protecting community health workers: PPE needs and recommendations for policy action
