Key result
Community health worker interventions improve cardiovascular awareness, dietary behaviors, and cholesterol in Hispanic populations.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Hispanic populations, and effective community health worker models for risk reduction require evaluation in both community and clinical settings.
Do Community Health Worker/Promotora de Salud programs improve cardiovascular risk factors and awareness in Hispanic communities?
Do Community Health Worker/Promotora de Salud programs improve cardiovascular risk factors and awareness in Hispanic communities?
Community health worker models are a promising and culturally appropriate strategy for delivering cardiovascular disease prevention and risk reduction education in Hispanic communities.
This article describes 6 Salud Para Su Corazon (SPSC) family of programs that have addressed cardiovascular disease risk reduction in Hispanic communities facilitated by community health workers (CHWs) or Promotores de Salud (PS). A synopsis of the programs illustrates the designs and methodological approaches that combine community-based participatory research for 2 types of settings: community and clinical. Examples are provided as to how CHWs can serve as agents of change in these settings. A description is presented of a sustainability framework for the SPSC family of programs. Finally, implications are summarized for utilizing the SPSC CHW/PS model to inform ambulatory care management and policy.
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Balcázar et al. (2011) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease risk factors. Community Health Worker (CHW) / Promotores de Salud (PS) programs vs. Standard care or no intervention (varies by program) was evaluated on Cardiovascular risk factor awareness, behavioral changes, and clinical measures (e.g., cholesterol, blood pressure). Community health worker programs facilitated improved cardiovascular risk factor awareness, heart-healthy dietary behaviors, and clinical outcomes such as cholesterol levels in Hispanic communities.
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