This study looked at how pairing male and female village health volunteers in remote Lao communities affects maternal health outreach. In areas where most CHWs are men, women often feel uncomfortable discussing pregnancy and childbirth with them. The paired model allowed female volunteers to support mothers directly, while male volunteers engaged husbands and community leaders. … [Read more...] about Working in pairs: male-female village health volunteers supporting maternal health and community engagement in remote and ethnic communities of Lao PDR-a qualitative study
CHW programs
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
More work for ASHAs? Exploring the role of whatsapp messaging and community health work in urban slum areas of Varanasi, India
This study looked at India’s community health workers (CHWs) and their growing responsibilities, including family planning, vaccinations, and maternal nutrition. While digital tools were meant to ease their work, they often added extra administrative tasks. CHWs remain crucial for building trust and improving vaccine uptake, especially in urban slums, but they need better … [Read more...] about More work for ASHAs? Exploring the role of whatsapp messaging and community health work in urban slum areas of Varanasi, India
A Scoping Review of RCT Studies on Community Health Worker Effectiveness
This review looked at U.S. studies from 2000 to 2023 that tested community health worker (CHW) programs through randomized control trials. It found 39 studies, mostly based in healthcare systems and community health centers. Few studies focused on CHWs working in public health agencies or insurance settings. Overall, most trials showed that CHWs improved health outcomes. The … [Read more...] about A Scoping Review of RCT Studies on Community Health Worker Effectiveness
A qualitative exploration of multi-level factors that support effective community health worker-social worker collaboration
This study looked at how community health workers (CHWs) and social workers (SWs) work together in healthcare and community settings in the U.S. Focus groups with 37 workers revealed that successful collaboration depends on clear roles, good communication, mutual respect, supportive supervision, and shared workflows. Organizational support, leadership backing, training, and … [Read more...] about A qualitative exploration of multi-level factors that support effective community health worker-social worker collaboration