This article presents an evaluation of the role of a link-worker trained in health promotion and aspects of chronic disease management. A shift in workload occurred from the practice nurse to link-worker, and there were improvements in asthma and diabetes care. A link-worker can be successfully trained to do traditional nursing tasks, which permits a change of role for the … [Read more...] about The ethnic minority linkworker: a key member of the primary health care team?
Journal articles
Can community health workers improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in the USA? A review of the literature.
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV infection into a manageable chronic illness, yet AIDS mortality among ethnic minorities persists in the USA. HAART nonadherence is associated with increased HIV viral load, low CD4 cell count and racial disparities in HIV outcomes. While there is no universal consensus on how to improve medical adherence in … [Read more...] about Can community health workers improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in the USA? A review of the literature.
Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001
This report summarizes the CHW evaluations conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2001. It also characterizes community health worker (CHW) performance using an algorithm for managing common childhood illnesses in Siaya District, Kenya. Results showed deficiencies were found in the management of sick children by CHWs, although care was not consistently poor. Key reasons for the … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001
Madres para la Salud: design of a theory-based intervention for postpartum Latinas.
Weight gain in young women suggests that childbearing may be an important contributor to the development of obesity in women. Depressive symptoms can interfere with resumption of normal activity levels following childbirth or with the initiation of or adherence to physical activity programs essential for losing pregnancy weight. Depression symptoms may function directly to … [Read more...] about Madres para la Salud: design of a theory-based intervention for postpartum Latinas.
Community health workers and medicaid managed care in New Mexico.
We describe the impact of community health workers (CHWs) providing community-based support services to enrollees who are high consumers of health resources in a Medicaid managed care system. The CHWs provided patients education, advocacy and social support for a period up to 6 months. For all measures, there was a significant reduction in both numbers of claims and payments … [Read more...] about Community health workers and medicaid managed care in New Mexico.

