The HSG Hub is a product of the partnership between CHW Central and the Health Systems Global Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Supporting and Strengthening the Role of Community Health Workers in Health System Development.

To support the generation, synthesis and communication of evidence on the roll out and functioning of community health worker programs and to enable learning across geographical and political contexts
The Global Symposium on Health Systems Research
The Global Symposium on Health Systems Research will take place at the in Bogota, Colombia from October 31 to November 4, 2022. The event will feature several CHW-related sessions: Community health worker payment matters! Can the use of digital payment systems in low and middle income countries make things better? Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 11 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Adapting health provision models during COVID-19 to support community health workers in delivering equitable care: sharing experience across multiple contexts. Thematic Working Group on Community Health Workers Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 4 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Strengthening human resources for health Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 4 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Community Health Workers Business Meeting Thursday, November 3, 2022, 12:45 P.M. to 1:45 P.M. Prevailing community health systems amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic Friday, November 4, 2022, 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. To learn more about HSR2022, or to register, visit the event website.
Community Health Workers in fragile and conflict-affected settings
With the world currently experiencing a global pandemic alongside a shortage of health personnel to attend to millions of ailing people, Lynda Keeru of Pamoja Communications and Kate Hawkins from ReBUILD attended a timely webinar ‘The role of CHWs in future-proofing health systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings.’ The webinar brought together different speakers from a range of settings to discuss this vital topic. Most countries in the global south have a shortage of formal, educated, healthcare workers and are increasingly looking into a range of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to fill this critical gap. CHWs are particularly critical in fragile settings where there are additional challenges with delivering healthcare. CHWs have proved to be essential, trusted and first-line responders providing health services in settings affected by conflict and disasters. Bridging the gap During the webinar, we heard that CHWs are part of communities and work closely with local leaders – they are familiar with the local norms and culture and are accepted. CHWs often have existing relationships that enable good access to the community, and on an individual level, they often have a sense of duty and willingness to serve their communities. As discussed by Mushtaq Khan, drawing on programme experiences in Yemen, Syria, and…
HSG Hub Resources
Announcing a special collection of articles on community health workers
Examining the Intersection between Gender, Community Health Workers, and Vector Control Policies: A Text Mining Literature Review
In this systematic review, authors investigated how gender intersects with healthcare, especially when considering community health work and arboviral vector-borne disease. Researchers used machine learning techniques to analyze 2,812 articles…
Feasibility of a Palliative Care Intervention Utilizing Community Health Workers to Facilitate Delivery of Home-based Palliative Care in India
This study sought to assess the feasibility of a CHW-led home palliative care program. Researchers aimed to evaluate the ability of CHWs to assist patients, maintain records of care, and…
The Effect of a Learning Partner Model-Based Program on Spreading Cancer Prevention Knowledge Using Community Health Volunteers in Japan
In this study, researchers assessed the short-term effects of a Learning Partner Model education program on cancer prevention for community health volunteers. Researchers recruited 107 CHVs from three areas of…
Gaps in Knowledge and Practice in Treating Tobacco Use Among Non-physician Healthcare Professionals and Lay Health Workers in Chicago, Illinois
In this article, authors conducted a needs assessment for lay health workers and non-physician medical professionals to assess existing gaps in tobacco cessation practices and knowledge. A 46-item needs assessment…
Improving access to maternal health services among rural hard-to-reach fishing communities in Uganda, the role of community health workers
In this prospective study, researchers sought to determine the efficacy of a CHW-led initiative to improve antenatal care in Uganda. Nearly 500 pregnant women aged 15 to 49 were enrolled…
Socio-culturally adapted educational videos increase maternal and newborn health knowledge in pregnant women and female community health volunteers in Nepal’s Khotang district
In this study, researchers investigated the impact of culturally appropriate maternal and newborn health-related educational videos on maternal knowledge among pregnant women and female CHVs in Nepal. Researchers enrolled 101…