Community health workers (CHWs) can improve health outcomes, but their role in epilepsy care remains limited. This paper outlines how adding CHWs to epilepsy care teams can help reduce health inequities by addressing patients’ social and personal needs. It presents a practical model for how epilepsy centers can work with CHWs, healthcare systems, and community partners to … [Read more...] about Innovating the practice of epilepsy care to improve patient outcomes: a model for community health worker integration
Evaluation
Effectiveness of Community-Based Culturally Tailored Cervical Cancer Awareness Interventions among Women and Decision-Making Men in Low-Resource Settings: A Pre-Post Design Evaluation
This study tested a culturally tailored program to raise awareness about cervical cancer among women and male household decision-makers in rural Uganda and Bangladesh. The program used mass media and community health worker outreach. After the intervention, both women and men showed a major increase in knowledge about cervical cancer risks and symptoms. Involving men and … [Read more...] about Effectiveness of Community-Based Culturally Tailored Cervical Cancer Awareness Interventions among Women and Decision-Making Men in Low-Resource Settings: A Pre-Post Design Evaluation
Evaluating Frontline Health Workers’ Responses to Patient Inquiries With and Without Large Language Model Support in Nigeria: An Observational Study
This study tested whether ChatGPT could help frontline health workers in Nigeria give better answers to patient questions. Thirty-six doctors, nurses, and community health workers responded to health questions with and without ChatGPT’s help. Clinicians and patients rated the answers. ChatGPT-assisted responses were more accurate, complete, and empathetic, and people found them … [Read more...] about Evaluating Frontline Health Workers’ Responses to Patient Inquiries With and Without Large Language Model Support in Nigeria: An Observational Study
Improving Contraception Outreach through Human-Centered Design: A Pilot Study of the Ndingathe (“I Can”) Intervention in Rural Malawi
This study in rural Malawi tested a program called Ndingathe (“I Can”) to help community health workers, known as Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs), improve access to contraception; especially self-injectable options. The program gave HSAs tools like bicycles, lunch allowances, and better planning materials, which helped them hold more and longer outreach clinics. Both HSAs … [Read more...] about Improving Contraception Outreach through Human-Centered Design: A Pilot Study of the Ndingathe (“I Can”) Intervention in Rural Malawi
Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Hospitalized Children: An Implementation Assessment
This study in a Bronx hospital looked at how community health workers (CHWs) help families of hospitalized children with social needs like housing or food. Of the families screened, about one in three had unmet needs, and most who worked with CHWs were successfully connected to support services. Nearly all families reported their situations improved. The program proved … [Read more...] about Addressing Health-Related Social Needs in Hospitalized Children: An Implementation Assessment