This paper comments on the ways that community health workers should be deployed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. CHWs are members of the communities they serve, making them skilled in community engagement and health communication at a time when social distancing mandates are a possible barrier in connecting vulnerable communities to resources. The authors … [Read more...] about Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce
United States of America
Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
In the US, the use of CHWs in providing mental health services is growing. This study researched engagement strategies for a school-based mental health service model by employing a CHW workforce to implement early intervention programs in high poverty urban communities. Key findings of the study support the ability of CHWs to identify and implement an array of engagement … [Read more...] about Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities
Can Community Health Workers Increase Palliative Care Use for African American Patients? A Pilot Study
African American patients with cancer underutilize advance care planning (ACP) and palliative care (PC). This feasibility study investigated whether community health workers (CHWs) could improve ACP and PC utilization for African American patients with advanced cancer. It determined that utilization of CHWs to address PC domains and social determinants of health is feasible. … [Read more...] about Can Community Health Workers Increase Palliative Care Use for African American Patients? A Pilot Study
Webinar- Enhancing Community Health Research By Engaging Community Health Workers
This webinar presents experiences and research findings on the role of CHWs as research partners. Sharing evidence from North American and African contexts, it outlines the ways CHWs have been involved in research. Through case examples from Uganda and Liberia, the webinar provides examples and recommendations for engaging CHWs as co-investigators and research partners. … [Read more...] about Webinar- Enhancing Community Health Research By Engaging Community Health Workers
Promoting Community Health Worker Leadership in Policy Development: Results from a Louisiana Workforce Study
In 2019, the Louisiana legislature created the CHW Workforce Study Committee (Committee) to study the workforce and provide the state with policy recommendations. The Committee engaged CHWS, their employers and an academic team to collect qualitative data on the experiences of CHWs and employers statewide. Findings suggest a need for widespread education about CHWs and support … [Read more...] about Promoting Community Health Worker Leadership in Policy Development: Results from a Louisiana Workforce Study