Community health workers (CHWs), doulas, and peer support specialists (PSSs) play a key role in improving health and reducing health gaps. Though they have worked in communities for years, Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program) has recently started covering their services. This summary explains who they are, how their roles are similar or different, and what services they … [Read more...] about Understanding Community Health Workers/Promotores/Representatives, Doulas, and Peer Support Specialists in Medi-Cal
CHW programs
Comparing Three Medi-Cal Benefits: Community Health Workers, Doulas, and Peer Support Specialists
This document compares three Medi-Cal services that started in 2022 and 2023: community health workers (CHWs), doulas, and peer support specialists (PSS). It shows how their roles, services, and payment systems differ. CHWs include promotores and community health representatives who support Spanish-speaking and Native communities. The document focuses on core services covered … [Read more...] about Comparing Three Medi-Cal Benefits: Community Health Workers, Doulas, and Peer Support Specialists
Constrained optimization: evaluating possible packages of community health interventions with competing resource requirements in Galmudug, Somalia
This study focused on helping save mothers’ and babies’ lives in rural Somalia, where resources are limited. Using a math-based model, researchers figured out the best mix of health services that Community Health Workers (CHWs) could provide with the money and staff available. With 1,450 female health workers and a $435,000 budget, the model showed that about 15% of expected … [Read more...] about Constrained optimization: evaluating possible packages of community health interventions with competing resource requirements in Galmudug, Somalia
“I feel like my job is to give patients hope” – perspectives of Community Health Workers and employers in Iowa: a mixed methods study
This study looked at Community Health Workers (CHWs) and their employers in Iowa to understand their roles, training needs, and challenges. Interviews and surveys showed that CHWs do a wide variety of tasks and often receive training on the job, but many still feel they need more training. Employers said that funding is a major barrier to running CHW programs. While CHWs feel … [Read more...] about “I feel like my job is to give patients hope” – perspectives of Community Health Workers and employers in Iowa: a mixed methods study
Moving away from volunteerism in community health? Motivations and wellbeing among urban and rural Ethiopian volunteers
This study looks at how unpaid community health workers (mostly women) in Ethiopia continued to work without pay, even as the government claimed it was moving away from volunteer-based health programs. The research compares two groups—one in cities focused on HIV care, and one in rural areas focused on general health. It shows that both groups were still expected to work for … [Read more...] about Moving away from volunteerism in community health? Motivations and wellbeing among urban and rural Ethiopian volunteers