Overweight and obesity, lack of exercise, and exposure to tobacco smoke are clearly identified behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These problems disproportionately affect some communities. To address these problems within one community of underserved Latinos, participatory research methods were used to design an outreach program. Latina lay health advisors … [Read more...] about The impact of lay health advisors on cardiovascular health promotion: using a community-based participatory approach.
Program Evaluation
Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001
This report summarizes the CHW evaluations conducted in 1998, 1999 and 2001. It also characterizes community health worker (CHW) performance using an algorithm for managing common childhood illnesses in Siaya District, Kenya. Results showed deficiencies were found in the management of sick children by CHWs, although care was not consistently poor. Key reasons for the … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Performance in the Management of Multiple Childhood Illnesses: Siaya District, Kenya, 1997–2001
Effective utilization and evaluation of indigenous health care workers.
The use of indigenous health care workers (IHCWs), who were key elements in community health care programs in the United States in the 1960s, has gone in and out of fashion in subsequent years. The author and his colleagues recently established a service program at Wayne State University's Institute of Maternal and Child Health that employs IHCWs. Characterizations of IHCWs in … [Read more...] about Effective utilization and evaluation of indigenous health care workers.
Improving Asthma Management among African-American Children via a Community Health Worker Model: Findings from a Chicago-Based Pilot Intervention
Asthma affects 25-30% of children living in certain disadvantaged Chicago neighborhoods, a rate twice the national prevalence (13%). Children living in poor, minority communities tend to rely heavily on the emergency department (ED) for asthma care and are unlikely to be properly medicated or educated on asthma self-management. A pilot project implemented and evaluated a … [Read more...] about Improving Asthma Management among African-American Children via a Community Health Worker Model: Findings from a Chicago-Based Pilot Intervention
A Promotores de Salud Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in a High-Risk Hispanic Border Population, 2005-2008
The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Hispanic population of the United States, together with low rates of health insurance coverage, suggest a potential cardiovascular health crisis. The objective of Project HEART (Health Education Awareness Research Team) was to promote behavior changes to decrease CVD risk factors in a … [Read more...] about A Promotores de Salud Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in a High-Risk Hispanic Border Population, 2005-2008