This study describes how a community health worker program called COMPASS was developed to improve access to primary health care in Belgium. The program was inspired by successful community health worker models from Brazil and South Africa and adapted to fit the Belgian health system. Researchers worked with local stakeholders, studied barriers to care, and tested the approach … [Read more...] about Reciprocal innovation to improve access to primary healthcare in Belgium: adaptation and development of a community health worker intervention
Primary Health Care
Community health workers and tuberculosis services integration within primary health care: from adequate compensation to comprehensive, reliable support
Community health workers play a central role in tuberculosis care in communities by screening for symptoms, collecting samples, referring patients for diagnosis, and supporting treatment follow-up. However, their work is often limited by lack of proper pay, training, equipment, and system support, and many still serve as volunteers despite the risks and workload involved. … [Read more...] about Community health workers and tuberculosis services integration within primary health care: from adequate compensation to comprehensive, reliable support
Taking a Climate and Health History: A One Health-Informed Approach to Primary Care and Services
Climate change threatens health, especially in low‑ and middle‑income countries with weak health systems, yet healthcare often misses these risks. Using a One Health approach which links human, animal, and environmental health, clinicians and community health workers can include climate-related questions, like heat exposure, in routine care. This helps identify climate-related … [Read more...] about Taking a Climate and Health History: A One Health-Informed Approach to Primary Care and Services
Reimagining Primary Health Care: A Historical and Contemporary Review of Community-Based Care Models and Innovations
This review looked at community-based care over the past decades, showing it improves access to essential services like maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and health promotion. Programs led by volunteers and community health workers strengthened health systems but faced issues like high turnover, limited funding, and weak integration. Case studies from … [Read more...] about Reimagining Primary Health Care: A Historical and Contemporary Review of Community-Based Care Models and Innovations
Task shifting and task sharing for rehabilitation in primary care – A scoping review
This review looked at how sharing or shifting rehabilitation tasks to community health workers can improve access to care in primary health settings. Eleven studies from five countries showed that trained CHWs successfully delivered rehabilitation for different health conditions, leading to positive results. Although training methods varied, all proved effective. The findings … [Read more...] about Task shifting and task sharing for rehabilitation in primary care – A scoping review