Insights on COVID-19 from community health worker state leaders

Authors

Susan Mayfield-Johnson, University of Southern Mississippi
Denise O. Smith, National Association of Community Health Workers
Sara A. Crosby, University of Southern Mississippi
Catherine G. Haywood, Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network
Joelisa Castillo, Milwaukee Coalition for Children's Mental Health
Dolontria Bryant-Williams, Houston Health Department
Kim Jay, Sinai Urban Health Institute
Milagrosa Seguinot, Community Health Workers Association of Connecticut
Treva Smith, KC CARE Health Center
Nicole Moore, Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi
Ashley Wennerstrom, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2020

Publication Title

Journal of Ambulatory Care Management

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.

First Page

268

Last Page

277

PubMed ID

32858726

Volume

43

Issue

4

Recommended Citation

Mayfield-Johnson, Susan; Smith, Denise O.; Crosby, Sara A.; Haywood, Catherine G.; Castillo, Joelisa; Bryant-Williams, Dolontria; Jay, Kim; Seguinot, Milagrosa; Smith, Treva; Moore, Nicole; and Wennerstrom, Ashley, "Insights on COVID-19 from community health worker state leaders" (2020). School of Public Health Faculty Publications. 331.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/soph_facpubs/331
10.1097/JAC.0000000000000351