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Resources by Topic: Community health workers

An Emerging Model for Community Health Worker-Based Chronic Care Management for Patients With High Health Care Costs in Rural Appalachia
Describes a community health worker-based chronic care management model implemented in rural counties in 3 central Appalachian states. Demonstrates how to engage health insurance companies to support and sustain this model.
Author(s): Richard Crespo, Matthew Christiansen, Kim Tieman, Richard Wittberg
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Rural Health Predictions: Q&A with Alan Morgan
An interview with National Rural Health Association (NRHA) CEO Alan Morgan. Focuses on NRHA's work on rural health issues and shares rural health predictions for 2020.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Building Partnerships to Improve Health in the Rural South: CareSouth Carolina
Provides an overview of CareSouth Carolina, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and its approaches to increase engagement with low-income patients in its service area. Describes the role of community health workers to address social determinants of health. Discusses partnerships with community organizations and the development of an independent practice association with other FQHCs in South Carolina. Includes CareSouth Carolina performance scorecard and a summary of lessons learned.
Author(s): Martha Hostetter, Sarah Klein
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Recognizing and Sustaining the Value of Community Health Workers and Promotores
Discusses the ways in which community health workers and promotores (CHW/Ps) contribute to the healthcare system, with a focus on California. Gives examples of the ways in which CHW/Ps in rural areas can alleviate workforce shortages, strengthen patient engagement with the healthcare system, and act as liaisons to social structures, including churches and Native American tribal organizations.
Author(s): Jim Lloyd, Kathy Moses, Rachel Davis
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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The Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program: Worcester County Health Department
Describes and examines the impact of a care coordination program developed by the Worcester County Health Department located on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Describes the program's care team of a registered nurse, masters-level social worker, and community health worker (CHW), working in collaboration with primary care providers. Serves patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with a home visit and services tailored to the patient's unique needs. Funded under the Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Grant Program from 2015-2018.
Date: 2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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The Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Program: Williamson Health and Wellness Center
Describes and examines the impact of a care coordination program developed by the Williamson Health and Wellness Center based in Williamson, West Virginia. Describes the program's use of care teams of community health workers, a registered nurse, and a nurse practitioner providing care coordination to patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Funded under the Rural Health Care Coordination Network Partnership Grant Program from 2015-2018, with additional private funding from a network of local philanthropies.
Date: 2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Making Community Health Workers (CHWs) Fundamental: New Research Strengthens the Case for State Policymakers to Include CHWs in Care Delivery Teams
Summarizes key findings from previous Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded studies in 9 states on Community Health Workers (CHWs) interventions and their effect on diverse ethnic, racial, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, including rural. Offers evidence-based recommendations to help state policymakers integrate CHWs into healthcare delivery teams to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for individuals and populations.
Author(s): Denisse Sanchez, Sinsi Hernández-Cancio, Eliot Fishman
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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Community Health Worker Roles and Responsibilities in Rural and Urban America
Results of a study to explore community health worker (CHW) roles and responsibilities, the growing professionalization of the field, and interactions between CHWs and other healthcare providers. Uses data obtained from focus groups conducted in Florida, Minnesota, California, and Massachusetts. Provides an in-depth look at the differences between CHW work in rural and urban areas, and offers insights to support continued growth of the field.
Author(s): Timothy H. Callaghan, David J. Washburn, Cason D. Schmit, et al.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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Advancing Health Equity Through Community Health Workers and Peer Providers: Mounting Evidence and Policy Recommendations
Reviews the results from 9 studies funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute supporting the inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) and peer providers (PPs) as effective participants in addressing health and healthcare inequities, particularly for diverse communities. Each study presented focuses on a distinct function of utilizing CHWs and/or PPS such as mentoring, managing chronic conditions, and navigator support for serious mental illness and depression. Discusses why payers and providers should include CHWs and PPS in a variety of capacities to improve outcomes, add value to care, and control costs.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Families USA
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Cost-effectiveness of a Statewide Public Health Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Highlights a study on the cost effectiveness of a community health worker (CHW)-based public health intervention to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in rural areas. Highlights an intervention that uses software to calculate risk scores and assist CHWs in making referrals and give support.
Author(s): Lauren Smith, Adam Atherly, Jon Campbell, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 19, 1234
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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