Work

Identifying the Core Elements of Effective Community Health Worker Programs: A Research Agenda

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly being incorporated into health programs because they are assumed to effectively deliver health messages in a culturally relevant manner to disenfranchised communities. Nevertheless, the role of CHWs-who they are, what they do, and how they do it-is tremendously varied. This variability presents a number of challenges for conducting research to determine the effectiveness of CHW programs, and translating research into practice. We discuss some of these challenges and provide examples from our experience working with CHWs. We call for future research to identify the "core elements" of effective CHW programs that improve the health and well-being of disenfranchised communities.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2012.300649

Authors: Sarah R. Arvey, Maria E. Fernandez

Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Language: English

Topic: Community Health and Development

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Cancer Institute, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities