Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in emergency medical responses, helping build trust, improve communication, and provide follow-up care. Case studies from The Bahamas and Sierra Leone show that integrating CHWs into Mobile Medical Teams (MMTs) boosts health outcomes, with Sierra Leone seeing a 32% increase in health referrals. This approach highlights the … [Read more...] about Bridging the Gap: Community Health Workers as a Vital Link in Humanitarian Medical Responses
Centering community based maternal and child nutrition services in Bangladesh’s rural primary health care: What has potential to scale
A new strategy to improve maternal and child nutrition services in rural Bangladesh was tested using community health workers. It integrated nutrition services with existing immunization and antenatal care programs, improving growth monitoring, maternal weight tracking, and supplement distribution. However, practices like dietary diversity and breastfeeding remained similar in … [Read more...] about Centering community based maternal and child nutrition services in Bangladesh’s rural primary health care: What has potential to scale
From the Ground Up: Building and Implementing a Successful CHW/Promotor(a) Program for Cancer Screening, Training, Education, and Prevention
The Texas C-STEP program helps reduce cancer disparities in rural and underserved areas by training community health workers (CHWs) to provide cancer education, screenings, and early detection services. The program has trained over 33 CHWs, formed 1,500 partnerships, educated 30,000 people, conducted 8,300 screenings, and diagnosed 69 cancers. While successes include increased … [Read more...] about From the Ground Up: Building and Implementing a Successful CHW/Promotor(a) Program for Cancer Screening, Training, Education, and Prevention
A qualitative study assessing acceptability and appropriateness of a technology-assisted mental health intervention by community frontline workers: mPareshan implementation research in rural Pakistan
In rural Pakistan, where mental health specialists are scarce, a mobile app-based mental health program called mPareshan was tested with Lady Health Workers (LHWs). The study found that using LHWs to deliver mental health support is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate. Communities trusted LHWs for this role, and their familiarity with smartphones made the program easier to … [Read more...] about A qualitative study assessing acceptability and appropriateness of a technology-assisted mental health intervention by community frontline workers: mPareshan implementation research in rural Pakistan
Professionalisation of Community Health Workers: Time for a Formal Contract
Community health workers (CHWs) are essential for strong primary healthcare but often lack proper support. This study highlights the need for "proCHW" programs, where CHWs are trained, equipped, supervised, paid, and given formal contracts for job security. Formal contracts can ensure fair wages and career growth while protecting CHWs from sudden job loss. Achieving this … [Read more...] about Professionalisation of Community Health Workers: Time for a Formal Contract