Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators: A critical COVID-19 pandemic workforce

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

卷:146

Article

Wells, Kristen J.^1,2  Dwyer, Andrea J.³  Calhoun, Elizabeth⁴  Valverde, Patricia A.³ 

[1] San Diego State Univ, Dept Psychol, 6363 Alvarado Ct,Ste 103, San Diego, CA 92120 USA

[2] SDSU UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program Clin Psy, San Diego, CA USA

[3] Colorado Sch Publ Hlth, Aurora, CO USA

[4] Univ Kansas, Sch Med, Kansas City, KS USA

关键词: Contact tracing;    Health education;    Health communication;    Health disparities;    Coronavirus;    Health policy;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106464

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality and challenged public health agencies and healthcare systems worldwide. In the U.S., physical distancing orders and other restrictions have had severe economic and societal consequences. Populations already vulnerable in the United States have experienced worse COVID-19 health outcomes. The World Health Organization has made recommendations to engage at risk populations and communicate accurate information about risk and prevention; to conduct contract tracing; and to support those affected by COVID-19. This Commentary highlights the ways in which an existing and cost-effective, but underutilized workforce, community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators, should be deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators have skills in community engagement and health communication and are able to gain the trust of vulnerable communities. Furthermore, many community health workers and non-clinical patient navigators have skills in assisting community members with meeting basic needs and with navigating public health and healthcare systems. Members of this workforce are more than prepared to conduct contact tracing. State, local, tribal, and territorial public health agencies and healthcare systems should be collaborating with national, state, and local organizations that represent and employ CHWs/non-clinical patient navigators to determine how to better mobilize this workforce to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Congress, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and individual states need to adopt policies to sustainably fund their critically needed services in the long term.

【 授权许可】

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