Health Promotion

Community Health Worker Program

Background l Topics l Resources l CHW Sites

Our community health worker (CHW) training program, based on national models and in collaboration with community organizations, trains and supports CHWs who provide health promotion and disease prevention education to at-risk populations in medically underserved areas. CHWs are community members who work almost exclusively in community settings and promote health among groups that have traditionally lacked access to adequate care. CHWs come from the same neighborhoods and share the same cultural experiences as the people they serve, thus bridging the gap between healthcare agencies and local communities.

Background

The roles of CHWs are to provide culturally appropriate health education; assure people get the services they need; give information about illnesses and how to prevent them; and teach the basics about common health problems. Documented benefits include improved health outcomes and lower costs; reduction of emergency room and hospital visits; decreased barriers to medical care; increased trust between clients and the health care delivery system; and timely use of services and better compliance.

Topics

Health disparities are a population - specific difference in the presence of disease, health outcomes, or access to care. CHWs in our area cover the following topics: cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, immunization, and cardiovascular disease (e.g. stroke, obesity, smoking, breastfeeding, etc.).

Resources

GSAHEC Spanish Educational Products

Teaching Tools

Behavior Modification and Compassion Fatigue

Stress Management

Communication Skills

Stages of Change

Bridging the Gap: Health Disparities and Health Literacy

Some topics are also available in Spanish.

Community Health Worker Sites

Center for Health Communities: www.med.wright.edu/CHC/Advocacy

Center for Sustainable Health Outreach: www.usm.edu/chso

Columbia County Department of Health / NY: http://www.govt.co.columbia.ny.us/depts/health/chworkers.html

Community Health Works, SF,CA: http://www.communityhealthworks.org/index.html

Community Health Worker Network of NYC: www.chwnetwork.org

Community Health Workers/Promotores de Salud: Critical Connections in Communities: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projects/comm.htm

Health Educator's Toolbox: http://www.doh.wa.gov/here/howto/toolbox.asp

Lawton & Rhea Chiles Center: www.chilescenter.org

Medical University of South Carolina: http://www.musc.edu/catalyst/archive/2003/co3-7community.htm

Migrant Health Promotion: www.migranthealth.org

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Are You Interested?

We are looking for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, civic groups, or faith based organizations to partner with on this important project. If you would like to learn more about the Community Health Partnership Project and the training and services we provide, please contact us.

Ansley Mora
Community Education Coordinator
(941) 361-6602
amora@health.usf.edu