Insights on COVID-19 From Community Health Worker State Leaders

J Ambul Care Manage. 2020 Oct/Dec;43(4):268-277. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000351.

Abstract

Community health workers (CHWs) leverage their trusting relationships with underresourced populations to promote health equity and social justice in their communities. Little is known about CHWs roles in addressing COVID-19 or how the pandemic may have affected CHWs' ability to interact with and support communities experiencing disparities. A focus group with CHW leaders from 7 states revealed 8 major themes: CHW identity, CHW resiliency, self-care, unintended positives outcomes of COVID-19, technology, resources, stressors, and consequences of COVID-19. Understanding the pandemic's impact on CHWs has implications for workforce development, training, and health policies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Community Health Workers / psychology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / psychology*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / psychology*
  • Resilience, Psychological
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Self Care
  • United States / epidemiology