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Resources by Topic: Community health workers

Behavioral and Subjective Health Changes in US and Mexico Border Residing Participants in Two Promotora-Led Chronic Disease Prevention Interventions
Study of two community health worker (CHW) chronic disease prevention programs serving Mexico-born residents of the U.S-Mexico border region: one in a rural Arizona community and one in an urban community in Sonora, Mexico. Discusses challenges related to healthy diet, physical activity, and social support as risk factors for obesity and diabetes. Analyzes data from self-report assessments to evaluate behavioral and subjective health improvements over 6 months of the intervention programs.
Author(s): S C Carvajal, S Huang, M L Bell, et al.
Citation: Health Education Research, 33(6), 522-534
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Depression in a Depressed Area: Deservingness, Mental Illness, and Treatment in the Contemporary Rural U.S.
Examines the concepts of health-related deservingness and local moral economics to understand the diversity of moral responses to depression for rural women living in Appalachian Kentucky, where economic distress has contributed to poor mental health. Women from a variety of ages, treatment encounters, work experiences, and family sizes, along with healthcare professionals from a variety of backgrounds and settings, participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups.
Author(s): Claire Snell-Rood, Elizabeth Carpenter-Song
Citation: Social Science & Medicine, 219: 78-86
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
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Culturally-Relevant Online Cancer Education Modules Empower Alaska's Community Health Aides/Practitioners to Disseminate Cancer Information and Reduce Cancer Risk
Discusses a study based on post-training surveys from online learning modules providing cancer education for Community Health Aide/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) serving rural Native Alaskan communities. Details CHA/Ps perceptions of the training and how they plan to apply it in their practice.
Author(s): Katie Cueva, Laura Revels, Melany Cueva, et al.
Citation: Journal of Cancer Education, 33(5), 1102-1109
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
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The Role of Social Support and the Neighborhood Environment on Physical Activity in Low-income, Mexican-American Women in South Texas
Presents a study on the effectiveness of a promotora-led intervention aimed at improving the rates of physical activity among low-income Mexican-American women in rural South Texas.
Author(s): Jennifer J. Salinas, Marisol McDaniel, Deborah Parra-Medina
Citation: Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 51(5), 234-241
Date: 09/2018
Type: Document
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Culturally-Relevant Online Education Improves Health Workers' Capacity and Intent to Address Cancer
Discusses the findings of a survey of Community Health Aides/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) in rural Alaska regarding their participation in culturally-relevant online learning modules developed to increase their knowledge about cancer and improve their capacity to interact with patients about cancer.
Author(s): Katie Cueva, Melany Cueva, Laura Revels, Mark Dignan
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 43(4), 660–666
Date: 08/2018
Type: Document
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Building a Community Health Worker Program: The Key to Better Care, Better Outcomes, & Lower Costs
A toolkit offering information and strategies to help hospitals and healthcare systems design and implement a community health worker (CHW) program targeted to the communities they serve. Highlights evidence-based best practices, sustainable financing of CHW activities, engaging stakeholders, and suggests outcome measures. Provides a chapter of case studies on rural, urban, and suburban settings.
Author(s): Beth A. Brooks, Sheila Davis, Loraine Frank-Lightfoot, et al.
Date: 07/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: American Hospital Association, CommunityHealth Works
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A Mixed-Method Assessment of a Pilot Peer Advocate Intervention for Rural Gender and Sexual Minorities
Examines implementation challenges of a peer-based, community health worker intervention intended to help rural lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people with mental health or substance abuse issues. Details the pilot program, which focused on a diverse area of rural New Mexico, discusses the results and challenges, and offers recommendations based on the findings.
Author(s): Cathleen E. Willging, Audrey Harkness, Tania Israel, et al.
Citation: Community Mental Health Journal, 54(4), 395-409
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
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Immigrant Health Policy Paper
Policy position brief about new immigrants in rural areas, in terms of health care access, health disparities, economic contributions, health care facilities and Community Health Workers, and service strategies to benefit immigrants. Includes case studies of immigrants in Minnesota and immigrants employed in the meat-processing industry and in rural farming.
Author(s): Susan Kunz, April Fernandez, Matt Gilleskie, et al.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Case Studies From the 2017 Care Coordination Comparative Study
Provides an overview of four care coordination approaches being used in rural areas: care coach, clinical, community health worker, and school-based. Includes individual case studies of rural care coordination programs, with detailed information on target populations, technology used, partners, care team composition, and more.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Rural Health Innovations
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Rural Post-Acute Care: Healthcare Leaders Offer Practical Solutions to Workforce Challenges
Describes methods for preparing and supporting healthcare workers who provide post-acute care in rural areas. Highlights programs that empower and train staff, maximize community partnerships, involve community health workers, and use telemonitoring.
Author(s): Jenn Lukens
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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