The ASHA program in India is the world’s largest all-female community health worker initiative, but little is known about how ASHAs work in cities. This study explored the roles and challenges of urban ASHAs in Punjab through interviews, focus groups, and observation. Urban ASHAs play a key role in connecting vulnerable communities to healthcare, but they face major challenges … [Read more...] about Urban community health workers in Punjab, India: A qualitative study of ASHAs’ roles in the health system
Qualitative
Social Worker and Community Health Worker Collaboration in Addressing Social Needs
This study explored how social workers (SWs) and community health workers (CHWs) help families with social needs during and after a child’s hospital stay. Interviews with staff at three children’s hospitals showed that SWs and CHWs play different but complementary roles. They work to support families while encouraging independence, but face challenges like keeping resource … [Read more...] about Social Worker and Community Health Worker Collaboration in Addressing Social Needs
Incorporating community-engaged research into a statewide community health worker-driven infrastructure for addressing health disparities in public health emergency
This study looked at a new statewide model in Indiana that puts community health workers (CHWs) at the center of efforts to reduce health disparities and strengthen public health. Through focus groups across nine districts, CHWs and community partners proposed solutions like improving health literacy, expanding transportation, increasing access to care, and offering preventive … [Read more...] about Incorporating community-engaged research into a statewide community health worker-driven infrastructure for addressing health disparities in public health emergency
Equity-Centered Development of a Community Health Worker Intervention to Improve Engagement in Care for ADHD
This study developed and tested a new program called START (SupporT for ADHD and Related Treatment), where community health workers support families of children recently diagnosed with ADHD. Eighteen families participated, and most reported high satisfaction, saying START made them more open to using medication, therapy, or school services. Families also showed increased … [Read more...] about Equity-Centered Development of a Community Health Worker Intervention to Improve Engagement in Care for ADHD
Supporting community health workers in South Africa for context-specific food and nutrition literacy: implementation of a multi-media education-entertainment intervention
This study tested whether comics and short video clips shared through mobile platforms could improve food and nutrition knowledge among community health workers in South Africa. After six months, participants showed better skills in meal preparation, planning, and overall nutrition literacy. The results suggest that multimedia education can be a useful tool to strengthen CHWs’ … [Read more...] about Supporting community health workers in South Africa for context-specific food and nutrition literacy: implementation of a multi-media education-entertainment intervention