Voices Blogs

“Ms. Kelso, we have Cameron here in the nurse’s office saying that his stomach and throat hurt for the third time this week. Would you like to talk to him?” I knew something was wrong when the school nurse called me nearly every day to tell me that my son, a 2nd grader, was in her office after lunch again. For several weeks, it was the same pattern.  Sobbing into the … [Read more...] about Community Health Education Workers

Kenya is a country that has faced numerous challenges in the health sector over the years. After devolution- decentralization of political and administrative power to counties - was adopted in 2013, Kenyans expected the county governments to play a more significant role in improving community health. However, despite the efforts made over the last decade, there are still gaps … [Read more...] about Assessing the Progress of Community Health in Kenya since Devolution: A Critical Review of Achievements and Challenges

1.CHWs: A Growing Field  The Community Health Worker field is growing as CHWs are becoming recognized as an essential need in healthcare systems. CHW interventions influence favorable health outcomes for many vulnerable populations who face social barriers. The positive impact of CHW work explains why federal Medicaid programs are ramping up CHW integration across the United … [Read more...] about CHWs Take the Charge: Empowering CHWs to Lead in the United States

The relationship between community health and the environment is one that cannot be ignored: the environment plays a crucial role in determining the health of a community. Many sectors necessary for human existence such as agriculture, transportation, energy, and industry, influence the environment, and in turn, the health of the community. The health sector is greatly affected … [Read more...] about Promoting Health and Saving the Planet: The Crucial Role of Community Health Workers in Environmental Health

Community health volunteers (CHVs) are an essential part of Kenya's health system. They are responsible for providing primary health care services, health promotion, and disease prevention in communities across the country. Despite their importance, CHVs are not paid by the government, making it difficult for them to sustain their lives while also contributing effectively to … [Read more...] about Working Double-time to get by: The Case of Malaba Community Health Unit’s Garbage Collection Business