Oral

The use of community health workers (CHWs) has been identified as one strategy to address the growing shortage of medical professionals?, particularly in low-income, Spanish-speaking communities. Using community members to render certain basic health services, develop prevention and intervention programs to the communities they come from is a concept that has proven to be an effective source for health promotion and wellness. The purpose of this session is to assess the relevance of community health workers/Promotores de Salud as prevention and wellness providers in the Latino community and identify the unique contributions and challenges of the involvement of CHWs and how they must respond to local societal and cultural norms and customs to ensure community acceptance and ownership.

Session Objectives: By the end of this panel, the participants will be able to: 1) Explain the benefits and challenges of utilizing promotores in the management of chronic conditions, 2) Describe methods used by CHWs to improve health outcomes, and 3) Identify techniques used to enhance cultural congruence, receptivity, and build community trust.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)