Results: 3217
The case for community health workers in high-income countries (2026)
Health systems in wealthy countries are under strain from ageing populations, staff shortages, and rising costs. Community health workers can help by improving access to care, supporting people with social needs, and keeping care connected in the community. While interest in these roles is growing, most programs are small, short-term,Read more…
Task-shifting through community health workers: Factors influencing access and utilization of modern family planning methods in Ziniaré, Burkina Faso (2026)
This study looked at why many women in rural Burkina Faso still do not use modern family planning, and whether community health workers could help. Community health workers were trained to provide family planning services in some areas, while other areas relied on health facilities as usual. After eight months,Read more…
Enhancing Health Equity Through Community Health Worker Interventions (2026)
This case looks at how hospitals can use community health workers to screen patients for social needs like housing, food, and transportation. It shows that CHW programs can improve care, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower costs, using real examples from Johns Hopkins Hospital. The case explains how such programs canRead more…
Catching babies, carrying traditions: the voices and practices of traditional birth attendants in Mayuge District, East central Uganda (2026)
In rural Mayuge District in Uganda, traditional birth attendants continue to care for pregnant women and newborns, especially where health facilities are hard to reach. This study shows that TBAs provide care before, during, and after birth using a mix of traditional and modern practices, but they face many challenges.Read more…
Pathways of change for essential newborn care practices and health care seeking: a process evaluation of Mamás del Río, a community-based, maternal and neonatal health intervention in the Peruvian Amazon (2026)
In rural Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon, many women give birth at home and newborn deaths remain high. This study looked at how a community program using community health workers and traditional birth attendants led to better newborn care. The program reached most families and provided strong training andRead more…
Connected Care for Older Adults: A Pilot Intervention Engaging Community Health Workers to Advance Age-Friendly Care in Rural Oregon (2026)
This pilot program embedded community health workers (CHWs) into rural primary care teams to support older adults with the 4Ms of age-friendly care: What Matters, Mentation, Medication, and Mobility. CHWs conducted home visits for patients 55 and older, helping with social needs, check-ins, and care engagement. Among 388 participants, mostRead more…
Taking a Climate and Health History: A One Health-Informed Approach to Primary Care and Services (2026)
Climate change threatens health, especially in low‑ and middle‑income countries with weak health systems, yet healthcare often misses these risks. Using a One Health approach which links human, animal, and environmental health, clinicians and community health workers can include climate-related questions, like heat exposure, in routine care. This helps identifyRead more…
Community-Based Models for Type 2 Diabetes Care A Review of Effectiveness, Implementation, and Health System Integration (2026)
Community-based programs for type 2 diabetes, led by community health workers, peer educators, or digital tools, can help people manage their disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries. These programs improve blood sugar control, weight, and confidence in self-care. Success is higher when programs are integrated into local health systems,Read more…
Adoption of an Electronic Decision Support Tool for Capacity Building of Community Health Workers: Mixed Methods Study (2026)
A study followed the use of UpToDate, a clinical decision tool, by community health workers (CHWs) in rural and remote areas over three years. While CHWs liked the tool, actual use was low and declined over time, affected by power outages, heavy workloads, and limited device access. CHWs mainly usedRead more…
Exploring health literacy and demographic determinants among village health volunteers in the post-COVID-19 era: a web-based cross-sectional study (2026)
This study in rural Thailand assessed health literacy (HL) among 840 Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) after COVID-19. Most VHVs had adequate (65.5%) or excellent (29.4%) HL. Higher HL was linked to positive attitudes, strong motivation, and over 10 years of experience, while higher household income was associated with lower HL.Read more…
Community health workers serving Veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot intervention development and feasibility study (2026)
This pilot program tested a 12-week Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) self-management intervention led by community health workers (CHWs) for nine Veterans. Participants found the program acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, and reported benefits from CHW-led education on COPD, breathing techniques, and inhaler use, as well as social support and accessRead more…
The Kitchen and the Cook: Context and Roles in Community Health Worker Programs (2026)
Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly recognized for improving care and reducing costs for patients with complex medical and social needs, but research on what makes CHW programs effective remains mixed and varied. To better understand what drives success, this editorial highlights that future research should focus on the contextRead more…
Examining the Cost-Effectiveness of Introducing Patient Navigation Services for Colorectal Cancer Screening Among a Low-Income and Uninsured Population (2025)
This study looked at whether community health workers (CHWs) helping uninsured, low-income adults get screened for colorectal cancer is cost-effective. Using data from a Texas program with 3,196 participants, researchers found that CHW support increased screening and added only a small cost for each extra year of life gained. TheRead more…
Unlocking the potential of traditional birth attendants in Somaliland: a qualitative study on healthcare system integration (2025)
This study explored the roles of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in Somaliland. Historically, TBAs handled pregnancy, childbirth, and harmful practices like female genital mutilation. Today, their role has shifted. They act as trusted links between communities and formal healthcare, helping women access professional maternal and reproductive services. Using TBAs inRead more…
Improving Mental Health Knowledge Among Brazilian Community Health Agents in a Training Program for a Self-Reported Mental Health Assessment (2025)
This study tested a mental health training program for 24 Community Health Agents (CHAs) in Brazil using the interRAI SAMH tool. After the training, CHAs showed improved knowledge of mental health topics, including depression, anxiety, psychoses, and suicide risk. They also felt more confident identifying and referring people with mentalRead more…
Supporting the Community’s Health Advocates: Initial Insights into the Implementation of a Dual-Purpose Educational and Supportive Group for Community Health Workers (2025)
The Lunch and Learn program in Maryland supports community health workers (CHWs) through virtual education and peer connection. Launched in 2023, it offered twice-monthly online sessions with expert talks, Q&A, and peer-support time. Over the first year, participation grew, and CHWs reported that the program helped both their learning andRead more…
Coexisting traditional and biomedical healthcare systems: a mixed-methods analysis of community health workers and traditional birth attendants’ contributions to perinatal health behaviors in rural India (2025)
This study looked at how community health workers (ASHAs) and traditional birth attendants (Dais) influence maternal and newborn care in rural Bihar, India. ASHAs mainly supported mothers during pregnancy and labor, helping increase antenatal visits and institutional deliveries. Dais had more influence after birth, promoting traditional practices like newborn massage.Read more…
Enhancing Public Knowledge of Risk Factors and Warning Signs for Stroke and Heart Attack Through Home-Based Community Health Worker Interventions: A Cluster Randomized Trial (2025)
This study tested whether home visits by community health workers could improve people’s understanding of stroke and heart attack in rural Tanzania. Over one year, people who received regular home education learned more about risk factors and warning signs than those who received usual care. The results show that communityRead more…
The mental health benefit of a community-based home-visiting program for prenatal women: evidence from a randomized controlled trial in China (2025)
This study looked at whether home visits by community health workers could improve the mental health of pregnant women in rural China. Overall, the visits did not improve mental health for all women. However, they did help women who had strong support from their families, especially those with supportive husbands.Read more…
Community health workers’ usability and acceptability of an mHealth tool for post-cesarean assessments: A mixed-methods study in rural Rwanda (2025)
This study tested a mobile phone tool designed to help community health workers support women after cesarean birth in rural Rwanda. Community health workers were trained to use the tool during home visits to check symptoms and share information with health facilities. The workers found the tool easy to useRead more…
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