Community Health Workers’ Role in Addressing Farmworker Health Disparities

Authors: Emery L Harwell, Catherine E LePrevost, Leslie E Cofie, Joseph G L Lee

This study investigated community health worker practices and challenges while providing farmworkers with health education. Researchers conducted three focus group discussions with 28 CHWs who served farmworkers in North Carolina, United States. During discussions, researchers collected information regarding preparation for health outreach, health education delivery, and technology use. Following analysis, researchers found three main themes. Firstly, CHWs reported that health outreach preparation involved both short-term and long-term preparation. Additionally, health education delivery by CHWs included open-ended questions, participatory health education, and non-verbal aids. Finally, CHWs described challenges to technology usage, such as limited or unreliable internet access. The results of this study suggest ways that CHW-delivered services to farmworkers may be improved. For example, establishing reliable internet connections and ensuring continued professional development opportunities may enhance CHW capacity to serve farmworker populations in the long-term.