Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States and are among the most overweight. As in other populations, obesity contributes to several of the leading causes of illness and death. This study tested a train-the-trainer, promotor-based physical activity (PA) intervention to improve fitness and health indicators. Thirty unpaid promotores were … [Read more...] about Effects of a Promotor-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity: Familias Sanas y Activas
Journal articles
Identifying the core elements of effective community health worker programs: a research agenda.
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.
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
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

