CHWs

Home Visit Intervention Promotes Lifestyle Changes: Results of an RCT in Mexican Americans

Am J Prev Med. 2019 Sep 27. pii: S0749-3797(19)30307-1. [Pubmed Abstract]

Vidoni ML, Lee M, Mitchell-Bennett L, Reininger BM

Introduction
Hispanic populations are less likely that other ethnicities to meet physical activity guidelines. Community health worker (CHW) outreach is an effective delivery method for behavior change messages owing to shared culture, language, and life experience. This study examined the efficacy of a CHW-delivered intervention, Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!) at Home Intervention, to promote physical activity among Mexican Americans.

Study Design
RCT.

Setting and Participants
Mexican Americans living along the Texas-Mexico border from June 2010 to April 2013.

Intervention
Eligible adults were randomized into intervention (n=250) or standard care (n=250). Intervention participants received 6 monthly CHW visits that included education, motivation, and support for lifestyle changes. Standard care was potentially exposed to a…

Cost-effectiveness of a statewide public health intervention to reduce cardiovascular disease risk

BMC Public Health. 2019 Sep 6;19(1):1234. [Pubmed Abstract]

Smith L, Atherly A, Campbell J, Flattery N, Coronel S, Krantz M

Bacgkround
The cost-effectiveness of community health worker (CHW)-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reduction interventions is not well established. Colorado Heart Healthy Solutions is a CHW-based intervention designed to reduce modifiable CVD risk factors. This program has previously demonstrated success, but the cost-effectiveness is unknown. CHW-based interventions are potentially attractive complements to healthcare delivery because laypersons implement the intervention at a lower cost relative to medical care and may be attractive in rural settings with limited clinical resources.

Method
CHWs performed screenings and provided ongoing participant support within predominantly rural communities. A point-of-service software tool was used to generate 10-year Framingham CVD risk scores and assist CHWs to make medical referrals and provide ongoing…

Application of the CHW model in adult asthma and COPD in the U.S.: a systematic review

BMC Pulm Med. 2019 Jun 26;19(1):116. [Pubmed Abstract]

Parekh TM, Copeland CR, Dransfield MT, Cherrington A

Background
With rising medical costs, stakeholders and healthcare professionals are exploring community-based solutions to relieve the burden of chronic diseases and reduce health care spending. The community health worker (CHW) model is one example that has proven effective in improving patient outcomes globally. We sought to systematically describe the effectiveness of community health worker interventions in improving patient reported outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization in the adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) populations in the U.S.

Methods
Studies were included if they were a randomized control trial or involved a pre-post intervention comparison with clearly stated disease specific outcomes, targeted adult patients with asthma or COPD, and were performed in the United States. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk…