This study looked at how a structured community health worker (CHW) program called IMPaCT was put into place at five different sites. The program helps CHWs get proper training, support, and supervision while being flexible to local needs. Three of the five sites successfully ran the program for three years and saw fewer hospital visits among patients. The results suggest that … [Read more...] about Scaling an Evidence-Based Community Health Worker Program With Fidelity: Results and Lessons Learned
North America (U.S. and Canada)
Integration of Community Health Workers Into Palliative Care Teams: Challenges, Barriers, Facilitators, and Implementation Strategies
In rural South Dakota, where palliative care specialists are limited, regular healthcare providers often deliver end-of-life care. To improve this care, efforts are underway to educate providers and explore new ways to expand services. One idea is to involve Community Health Workers (CHWs) in palliative care teams. This study looked at the challenges and opportunities of doing … [Read more...] about Integration of Community Health Workers Into Palliative Care Teams: Challenges, Barriers, Facilitators, and Implementation Strategies
Teaming mechanisms of community health worker–primary care integration to enhance health equity
This study looked at how Community Health Workers (CHWs) can work closely with primary care teams to better support patients, especially in underserved communities. At Roots Community Health Center, CHWs called Health Navigators were successfully included in care teams. Through surveys and interviews, the research found that teamwork, trust, and clear roles helped make this … [Read more...] about Teaming mechanisms of community health worker–primary care integration to enhance health equity
Employment–based community health workers: A model for meeting health–related social needs in the workplace
This study tested a program where Community Health Workers (CHWs) helped low-income and minority employees at a university connect to support services like food, housing, and financial help. Only 10% of employees used the service, but most said it met their needs and they would recommend it. A third also made healthy lifestyle changes. The results suggest CHWs can help … [Read more...] about Employment–based community health workers: A model for meeting health–related social needs in the workplace
The importance of role and setting in health system social determinants of health screening results
This study looked at how different healthcare workers screen patients for social needs at Henry Ford Health in Detroit. In 2023, over one million screenings were done, mostly by Medical Assistants (MAs), but they found fewer needs compared to Community Health Workers (CHWs), case managers, and paramedics, who identified more issues even though they did fewer screenings. CHWs … [Read more...] about The importance of role and setting in health system social determinants of health screening results