This review looked at studies from 25 countries to see if community health worker (CHW) programs are cost-effective in primary health care. Most of the 50 studies focused on specific diseases like maternal and child health, diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, mental health, and HIV. About 70% found that CHW programs were cost-effective, showing their value in both low- and … [Read more...] about The cost-effectiveness of community health workers in primary health care: a systematic review
Empowering Health Navigators and Communities
In Iowa, growing immigrant communities have highlighted health gaps, especially in rural and underserved areas. To address this, local residents were trained as community health navigators to offer health education and screenings in culturally appropriate ways. So far, over 35 navigators have reached more than 1,200 people in places like churches, mosques, and housing … [Read more...] about Empowering Health Navigators and Communities
Innovative models of integrated community mental health workforce development
This article looks at new ways to strengthen the mental health workforce and make care more accessible. It highlights how training community health workers to provide basic mental health support, using digital tools like telepsychiatry, and involving people with lived experience can improve care in places with few specialists. It also stresses the importance of teamwork between … [Read more...] about Innovative models of integrated community mental health workforce development
Community Health Worker Interventions for Identifying and Managing Antenatal Depression: A Cluster-Linked Implementation Study
This study tested whether community health workers (CHWs) could help identify and support pregnant women with depression in rural areas. CHWs were trained to screen women, offer simple counseling, and refer serious cases to health facilities. They screened nearly 1,000 women, and about one in four showed signs of depression. Most accepted and completed the counseling sessions. … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Interventions for Identifying and Managing Antenatal Depression: A Cluster-Linked Implementation Study
Feasibility and Acceptability of Diabetes and Hypertension Screening and Diagnosis by Community Health Workers in Rural Lesotho: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
This pilot study in rural Lesotho tested whether community health workers (CHWs) could screen people at home for high blood pressure and diabetes. Ten CHWs visited 687 households and screened over 1,800 people between 2022 and 2023. About one in four had high blood pressure, and one in twenty had diabetes. Almost everyone welcomed the service and appreciated being tested in … [Read more...] about Feasibility and Acceptability of Diabetes and Hypertension Screening and Diagnosis by Community Health Workers in Rural Lesotho: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study