United States of America

An exploration of Michigan certified peer support specialists’ perceptions on tobacco use and additional future supports

This study explored peer support specialists' views on tobacco cessation services to improve policies and interventions in rural and urban areas. A survey of 172 peers found that most saw existing services like Quitlines, counseling, and medications as somewhat effective, with peer-to-peer support rated the highest. Rural peers emphasized the need for more access, holistic … [Read more...] about An exploration of Michigan certified peer support specialists’ perceptions on tobacco use and additional future supports

Public health crises like HIV, hepatitis C, and opioid overdoses often overlap, worsening health disparities, especially in marginalized communities. Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Peer Support Specialists (PSSs) play crucial roles in addressing these challenges—CHWs focus on health education and resource navigation, while PSSs provide support through lived experience in … [Read more...] about Dual Certification Of Community Health Workers And Certified Peer Support Specialists Can Better Address Syndemics

Pediatric liver transplant patients and their families face challenges in accessing healthcare and social services. This study used input from caregivers and transplant teams to design a navigator role to address these issues. Caregivers wanted help with accessing resources, preparing for appointments, and improving communication with schools and healthcare providers. … [Read more...] about Co-producing a health advocate intervention for pediatric liver transplant recipients using human-centered design

Training community health workers (CHWs) and their supervisors can improve care for people living with HIV. This study evaluated the impact of a community-driven training program in eight counties in the southern U.S. from 2021 to 2022. After the training, clients of CHWs showed better viral suppression, greater empowerment, and fewer unmet needs and stigma-related challenges. … [Read more...] about Moving Beyond Viral Suppression: Strengthening the Community HIV Workforce to Improve Empowerment and Reduce Stigma in the Memphis Transitional Grant Area

The Health Equity Collective (HEC) partnered with the City of Houston Health Department to strengthen the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce in Greater Houston as a step toward improving health equity. This two-year initiative gathered CHW employers and training organizations to develop a shared plan for workforce development. Baseline data was collected through … [Read more...] about Framework, design, and baseline data of a collective impact initiative to strengthen the Community Health Worker workforce ecosystem in Texas