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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Vicki J. Karlan, MPH¹, Lourdes Rangel², Miriam Urizar Rittmeyer, MD, PhD, MPH³, Angela J. Camilleri, MPH, MA¹, Isabel Haring³, Otila Garcia², Cleveland Latimore⁴, Julia D. Portale, MBA, MPH¹, Kenneth S. Babamoto, PharmD, MPH¹, and Eileen Crowley¹. (1) Pfizer Health Solutions, 2400 Broadway, Suite 500, Santa Monica, CA 90404, (310) 586-2516, angela.camilleri@pfizer.com, (2) Gateway Community Health Center, 2309 E. Saunders, Laredo, TX 78041, (3) Community HealthCare Center, 310 Eisenhower Drive, Bldg #5, Savannah, GA 31406, (4) Community Cardiovascular Council, 1900 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31401

The Community Health Worker (CHW) movement in the U.S. continues to grow, as this model is proven to be effective in different cultures, both rural and urban, in addressing many various health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, maternal health, cancer, and diabetes where empowering people towards self-management leads to improved health outcomes. With this increase in acceptance of approach, effective CHW training is critical for the continued respect, credibility and sustainability of this model in the public health field. An evaluation study was conducted in a multi-cultural, underserved area of Chatham County, Georgia to better understand the effectiveness of one particular training model in a community setting.

In a partnership between Community HealthCare Center and Pfizer Health Solutions, 27 volunteer Community Health Workers (CHWs), both Hispanic and African American, were trained by master trainers from Gateway Community Health Center, a federally-qualified community health center, in a 3-day course on implementing a diabetes/ cardiovascular self-management program. Using an interactive adult education model, the content of the training prepared participants to lead a 10-week course on diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) for patients and families attending affiliated local clinics. A post-training evaluation survey was administered to CHWs to gather information about training processes and outcomes. In response to the overwhelming demand for training in this community, a “train-the-trainer” seminar was subsequently presented with the goal of creating a sustainable CHW network to address health disparities in this community. Quantitative and qualitative training results and lessons learned will be presented by a participating CHW.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify three characteristics of an effective training program for Community Health Workers.
• Describe key opportunities and challenges in which a “train-the-trainer” approach can lead to a sustainable outreach program for underserved community residents.
• Explain how the training approach fosters community leadership development.

Keywords: Training, Sustainability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered