Editorial

The experience of the “Mais Saúde com Agente” program: training community health workers for a new Brazil

This article highlights Brazil’s Mais Saúde com Agente program, a large national effort to strengthen and professionalize community health workers through comprehensive training. Since 2024, nearly 300,000 community health workers and disease control agents have received training covering topics such as mental health, oral health, climate change, health equity, and community … [Read more...] about The experience of the “Mais Saúde com Agente” program: training community health workers for a new Brazil

This article looks at how artificial intelligence can support training and work of young community health volunteers. It explains that AI tools can help them learn better, stay motivated, and improve how they deliver health services, especially in low-resource areas. The authors also stress that these tools must be designed in a fair and inclusive way so they do not increase … [Read more...] about Transforming public health practice through artificial intelligence: strengthening youth community health volunteer capacity

This study explored how community health workers in India view their pay. It found that they see payment in three main ways: as fair compensation for their work, as a way to motivate better performance, and as a sign of how much their work is valued. Most workers felt that being paid through small incentives instead of a regular salary lowers their status and respect compared … [Read more...] about Fair pay, performance optimizer, or status marker? The social meaning of remuneration for India’s women community health workers

This study looked at the working conditions of community health workers in India and how the health system relies on them. It found that these workers often have many responsibilities but little power, face low and unstable pay, and are closely monitored. These conditions limit their ability to make decisions or push back, even as they play a key role in keeping the health … [Read more...] about Power, surveillance, and the limits of resistance: The role of community health workers in India’s health system

This study looked at the long-term impact of China’s Barefoot Doctors Program and found that children who grew up with access to these community health workers had better health and education later in life, especially women. The improvements were linked to better knowledge about nutrition and healthier diets. The findings show that simple, community-based health programs can … [Read more...] about The long-term effects of early life exposure to primary healthcare expansion: Evidence from the Barefoot Doctor Program