A Contrast Review of Community Health Worker Training Programs and Standardized Education
Michal J Plavsa
ABSTRACT
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted individuals who bridge communication gaps between community members and healthcare providers. CHWs perform a myriad of services within their scope of practice to promote the health and wellness of the communities they serve, including health education and outreach efforts. This study examines CHW programs and criteria from three higher education institutions in three states; Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia, and provides contrasting information on program standards, populations served, and workforce development. Two of the institutions are in the Appalachian region. Community health work is tailored to each community’s unique challenges and opportunities. By reviewing the training programs in these locations through a critical lens, this study aims to identify the successes and opportunities to improve program criteria and how they are developed and deployed to impact CHW capacities. Moreover, specific challenges and disparities are revealed.
The value is that by offering insight of CHW programs, the goal to advance public health becomes more attainable. Consequently, as researchers we have a responsibility to understand the current landscape and identify opportunities for CHWs to expand their role in achieving health equity. Throughout the review, strengths and opportunities for improvement are identified in all three programs. Addressing the identified vulnerabilities paired with the establishment of standardized criteria will fortify each program's resilience and contribute to the overall advancement and standardization of CHW training initiatives on a broader, and possibly global scale.
