Having social connections acts as a buffer against poor health and well-being. CHWs provide communities with an opportunity to strengthen social connectedness by living and working in the same locality. Rachel Deitz surveyed three towns in Chiapas, Mexico to understand local perspectives on the social benefits of a CHW-enhanced community clinic. Results of interviews indicated … [Read more...] about A qualitative study of social connectedness and its relationship to community health programs in rural Chiapas, Mexico
CHW Role
Enabling and hindering factors of health surveillance assistants’ roles in the provision of contraceptive services in Mangochi, Malawi
Provision of family planning and contraceptive services represents an essential component for reducing maternal, infant, and child mortality. In recognition of the value of contraception, the Government of Malawi strengthened Health Surveillance Assistants' (HSAs) capacity to distribute and educate the public about contraceptive services. Maryse Kok conducted interviews with … [Read more...] about Enabling and hindering factors of health surveillance assistants’ roles in the provision of contraceptive services in Mangochi, Malawi
Community gatekeepers and the conundrum of confidentiality and coercion
This commentary responds to an article by Sunu Thomas (2020) describing concerns about the role of confidentiality when a research participant discloses sensitive personal information while a CHW is present. The author describes concerns about whether CHWs should bridge the gap between communities and researchers and whether their presence during data collection represents a … [Read more...] about Community gatekeepers and the conundrum of confidentiality and coercion
Supporting holistic care for patients with tuberculosis in a remote Indigenous community: a case report.
Tuberculosis in Australia has been eradicated in nearly all communities, with the exception of rare cases in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander communities. The rarity of this disease presents a challenge to the care of those with positive diagnoses, as local workers may be inexperienced and underprepared to address TB. Andrea Miller and colleagues report a case study … [Read more...] about Supporting holistic care for patients with tuberculosis in a remote Indigenous community: a case report.
COVID-19 crisis creates opportunities for community-centered population health: Community health workers at the center
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the US healthcare system and the impacts of underinvestment in public health. Hobert Goldfield and colleagues outlined several state responses to the virus and the importance of CHWs in reducing its spread. The researchers called for governments to recruit greater CHW engagement in state response planning. … [Read more...] about COVID-19 crisis creates opportunities for community-centered population health: Community health workers at the center