Post on 22-Nov-2014
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Sponsored By W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Community Health WorkersWhat Are They?
Community Health Workers
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and has an unusually close understanding of the community served.
Community Health Workers Are Known By
Many Titles• Community Health Advocates
• Community Health Educators
• Outreach Workers• Community Health Advisors
• Lay Health Advocates
• “Promotores (as)”• Outreach Educators• Community Health Representatives
• Peer Health Promoters• Mental Health Aides• Navigators• Peer Health Educators
What do CHWs do?• Outreach, community
mobilization and advocacy
• Community/cultural liaison
• Home based services and social support
• Health promotion, prevention and education
• Navigates health systems
• HealthCare Team member
Clinic-Community LinkagesROLES OF CHWs
COMMUNITY• Point person for community
resources• Provides social support• Flexibility of “office” – may
be in the community• Home visitor
CLINICAL• Serves as a liaison between
the patient and various resources
• Reinforces educational messages given to the patient by the healthcare team
• Operates as a member of the healthcare team
• Flexibility in location of “office” – may have a base at a clinic.
Improving Quality of Care
IMPACT ON CARE
Clinical• Fewer visits for same
complaint• Patient compliance with
clinical instructions• Improves health outcomes• Empowers patient• Improves quality of care
CommunityHealthier communitiesHealthcare costs loweredIncreased access to care
Where Do CHWs Work?
CHWs provide services in a number of settings including community clients’ homes, faith-based organizations, their employers or sponsoring agencies, community health centers,non-profit organizations, public health clinics and private clinics, public housing organizations, hospitals and other settings.
CHWs receive training to help them understand their roles as members of the health or social service teams. CHWs have eight core competencies on which they must train and become knowledgeable. These assure mastery of knowledge and skill, provides a holistic approach to meeting community health needs, links learning to employment opportunities and meets certification requirements.
What Training Do CHWs Have?
Community Health Workers are currently being used to build capacity to reduce health disparities. In Mississippi, they are being used to address direct care, prevention, and intervention
CHWs in Mississippi
CHWs in Mississippi
CHWs work at the community level in both rural and urban communities to help health and social service agencies address issues such as diabetes, child health, high blood pressure, nutrition, tobacco control, lack of access to healthcare and health education, and health disparities through health education and health promotion activities.
The majority of CHW services in MS are currently not eligible for reimbursement. However, CHW services are
reimbursed for a small percent of agencies such as SCHIP, Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance.
National support & movement towards CHW
recognitionThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
of 2010 (PPACA) cites CHWs in three sections — §5101, §5313, and §5403 — and identifies them
as an important part of the health care workforce.
Mississippi Organizations Use of CHWs
• 78% are nongovernment organizations• 75% utilize a combination of paid and volunteer CHWs• 38% of CHWs work in programs supported by HRSA• Nearly 30% of the organizations fund their CHWs using a mix
of federal, state, local and private sources.• 1 in 3 organizations view CHWs as a viable part of the work
force.
National Support & Movement Towards CHW
Recognition• Association of State and Territorial
Health Officials 2012• CDC Division for Heart Disease
and• Stroke Prevention 2011• National Prevention Council 2011• HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial
and Ethnic Health Disparities 2011• American Association of Diabetes
Educators 2010• Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010• HHS National HealthAction Plan to
ImproveHealth Literacy 2010• Agency for Healthcare Research &
Quality 2009• American Public Health
Association 2009, 2001• National Conference of State
Legislatures 2008• National Fund for Medical
Education 2006• Institute of Medicine 2003• American Medical Association
2002
For More Information on Community Health
WorkersTougaloo CollegeCentral Mississippi Area Health Education Center350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Suite 3320Jackson, MS 39213Phone: (601) 987-9463
Website:www.tougaloo.edu/administration/health-and-wellness/central-mississippi-area-health-education-centerorhttp://tinyurl.com/wearechws
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tougaloohealthTwitter: www.twitter.com/tougaloohealth