Community health workers' capacity building and networking in the prevention of NCDs

The prevention and control of chronic non communicable diseases (NCD) is a priority on the Border, during 2010 over 400 primary care professionals and Community Health Workers (CHWs) also known as promotores de salud, in the management and prevention of diabetes. The results of the pre and post measurements will be presented, as will the Journal of Promotores, and the interactive DVD. The presentation will also include the conclusions from a scoping review on the training and community activities carried out by the promotores in the prevention and management of NCDs, including a comparative review of the training and educational materials used as well as the networks and networking among promotores in at least 4 strategic sites and with the Binational Health Councils of sister cities on the border. Preliminary results show a significant number of promotores implementing activities for the prevention of diabetes, obesity and other NCD risk factors, as well as in the promotion of healthy eating practices and increasing physical activity. Important differences were found between the structure, training and responsibilities among promotores in the U.S. and those in Mexico. Many of the promotores in the US are affiliated with NGOs and are part of community networks, for instance, while in Mexico they are often affiliated with the public health sector, other differences will also be discussed. The presentation will in addition include the training and follow-up with the promotores in the network of prevention and control of diabetes as well as in the prevention of NCD risk. The PAHO/WHO Border Office coordinated the Diabetes Prevention and Control Project and convened strategic academic and research institutions on the border to form a Center of Excellence for the prevention of chronic NCDs on the border.