Program Spotlight
Community health workers (CHWs) – known by a variety of names such as promotoras and peer supporters – are trusted sources of support that promote health and help people manage diseases. Through existing relationships and community ties, they link people to services and other resources in ways that often enhance both their quality and cultural competence. The potential for creating such positive impacts with communities requires attention to both the CHW-programs themselves and broader changes in systems to sustain them. Highlighted below is the Public Health-Seattle & King County’s CHW programs, and several program resources including the CDC policy brief on CHWs. Share your comments & experience on Facebook.
CHW Programs Serving Ethnically Diverse Families
The Public Health- Seattle & King County (PHSKC) community health worker programs provide peer support through home visits to low-income ethnically diverse families. With 14 years of extensive work focused on asthma and diabetes, PHSKC has developed core approaches applicable to both areas, which can also be helpful for programs that use CHWs to improve outcomes of any chronic condition. PHSKC program tools, including guidelines addressing how to communicate with health care providers and a motivational interview workshop, are highlighted in the Program Resources. [Read More]
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Connect with Us
Peers for Progress invites you to join us to expand the web presence of peer support around the world. Keep up to date on research, share and access resources, and contribute to the discussion on peer support. Here is how you can get involved:
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Program Resources
CDC’s Policy Brief on Community Health Workers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a policy brief to facilitate the integration of CHWs into current community-based chronic disease management efforts. Many great resources related to CHW training and capacity building are included! [Read More]
Guidelines for CHWs: When to Ask for Help and Advice
Public Health- Seattle & King County (PHSKC) created a comprehensive document outlining specific actions that community health workers can take to help their clients navigate the clinical realm and effectively cope with their children’s asthma. This is a good example of how to establish effective action-oriented guidelines for peer supporters [Read More]
Communication with Health Care Providers Guidelines for CHWs
Public Health- Seattle & King County (PHSKC) outlines situations and guidelines for community health workers on how to contact heir clinical team for assistance with asthma concerns. This is a good example of how to establish clear communication protocol for your peer supporters. [Read More]
CHW Training: Motivational Interviewing Techniques Workshop
Public Health- Seattle & King County (PHSKC) shares a training manual on how to conduct motivational interviewing. Check out the manual for ideas on how to create a curriculum for similar training of peer supporters. [Read More]
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Research Briefs
Web-based Interventions Aid Type 2 Diabetes Management
A systematic review by Ramadas et al. finds that web-based interventions, especially those using goal-setting, personalized coaching, interactive feedback and online peer support groups, are effective in managing type 2 diabetes. (International Journal of Medical Informatics, Apr 2011) [Full abstract]
Directive vs. Non-directive Support for Weight Loss
In a study of an e-coaching weight loss program, female participants who received directive support (prescriptive, protocol driven) lost more weight than those in the nondirective support (collaborative, flexible) or minimal support conditions. (Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Apr 2011) [Full abstract]
Benefits of Social Support in Anhui Province, China
A cross-sectional study by Zhong et al. finds that perception of good social support is associated with improved self-management of type 2 diabetes among adults in urban Anhui Province, China. (Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, Jan 2011) [Full abstract] [Read Zhong’s Program Spotlight]
Peer Support for AIDS Orphans in Nairobi, Kenya
Okawa et al. find that perceived social support is associated with improved psychological well-being of AIDS orphans in Nairobi, Kenya. The study points to peer support as an effective resource in this and other resource-limited settings. (AIDS Care, Apr 2011) [Full abstract]
Support from Peers as a Resource for Mental Health of Peruvian HIV Patients
A qualitative study finds that impoverished Peruvian individuals with HIV rely on informal sources of support, including peers and community health workers, to cope with mental health problems. (Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care, Feb 2011) [Full abstract]
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Funding and Training Opportunities
NIH Grant for Social Network Analysis and Health
DEADLINE: May 11, 2011
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is announcing a grant for research that would generate new theories on Social Network Analysis (SNA), apply social networks to the topic of health, or examine aspects of social networks and social interactions. [More Info]
Chronic Illness Self-Management in Children and Adolescents
DEADLINE: June 5, 2011
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) are issuing a new funding opportunity for research that would advance chronic disease management in children and adolescents from the ages of 8-21. [More Info]
Grants for Social & Behavioral Health
DEADLINE: June 5, 2011
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are seeking interdisciplinary research teams to create and implement highly innovative health-promoting programs (i.e. medication adherence, physical activity promotion, or chronic disease management). These programs must have a solid foundation in current research findings on human behavior and have a high potential for making a large impact. [More Info]
Planning Grant for Community-based Primary Healthcare
DEADLINE: June 15, 2011
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) are providing funding opportunities to facilitate the formation of research teams interested in chronic disease management and prevention and vulnerable populations. The goal of this funding is to form teams interested in competing for Team Grants in community based primary health care (CBPHC). [More Info]
Visit Peers for Progress Funding Opportunities for a complete listing of current funding & training opportunities
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Videos from Kuala Lumpur Meetings
Diabetes Buddies
Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, PhD
Looking Outside the Box... Model Peer Support Approaches Addressing Different Conditions
View the Presentation Slides
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| MEETINGS & EVENTS |
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2011 & Beyond: Latino Health Equity Conference
Register now for the Latino Health Equity Conference to participate in a forum on individual and community pathways to health through research, programs and policies for Latinos in Oregon and SW Washington (May 12 in Portland State University, Oregon) [More info]
European Congress of Endocrinology 2011
The European Society of Endocrinology hosts the 13th European Congress of Endocrinology in Rotterdam, Netherlands (April 30-May 4) [More Info]
26th Annual Clinical Conference on Diabetes
With its multidisciplinary focus, the education offered at the American Diabetes Association's Clinical Conference draws attendees from the entire health care spectrum, from across the nation and around the world. As the nation's premier clinical diabetes meeting, attendees come to hear cutting-edge research translated into clinical practice. The Association is well-known for presenting the latest in clinical trials and research. [More Info] |
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