Addressing Chronic Disease through Community Health Workers: A Policy and Systems-Level Approach
Author: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Date Published: 2010
This document provides guidance and resources for implementing recommendations to integrate community health workers (CHWs) into community-based efforts to prevent chronic disease. After providing general information on CHWs in the United States, it sets forth evidence demonstrating the value and impact of CHWs in preventing and managing a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. In addition, descriptions are offered of chronic disease programs that are engaging CHWs, examples of state legislative action are provided, recommendations are made for comprehensive policies to build capacity for an integrated and sustainable CHW workforce in the public health arena, and resources are described that can assist state health departments and others in making progress with CHWs.
Date Published: 2010
This document provides guidance and resources for implementing recommendations to integrate community health workers (CHWs) into community-based efforts to prevent chronic disease. After providing general information on CHWs in the United States, it sets forth evidence demonstrating the value and impact of CHWs in preventing and managing a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. In addition, descriptions are offered of chronic disease programs that are engaging CHWs, examples of state legislative action are provided, recommendations are made for comprehensive policies to build capacity for an integrated and sustainable CHW workforce in the public health arena, and resources are described that can assist state health departments and others in making progress with CHWs.
