A new resource for developing and strengthening large-scale community health worker programs.

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Public Health Policy
• Health Systems Strengthening

Background:

• Growing global emphasis on community-based primary healthcare, particularly in resource-constrained, high-mortality settings.
• The increasing scale and operational complexities of community health worker (CHW) programs necessitate specialized attention from global health stakeholders.
• A new online reference guide and case studies have been developed to support CHW program development and enhancement.

Discussion:

• The reference guide addresses critical operational challenges faced by large-scale CHW programs during development, expansion, or strengthening.
• It synthesizes extensive experience from 27 international collaborators in CHW programming.
• The guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential considerations for effective CHW program management.

Key Insights:

• The guide includes detailed case studies of 12 national CHW programs, representing the most current and complete available data.
• It highlights practical, evidence-based approaches for overcoming common hurdles in CHW program implementation.
• The resource aims to equip program managers and policymakers with the knowledge to optimize CHW program effectiveness.

Outlook:

• Future publications will further explore themes from the reference guide, offering updates on recent advancements and experiences.
• The initiative seeks to raise awareness of the CHW Reference Guide and its utility.
• The ultimate goal is to connect a wider audience to the importance of robust CHW programs for improving health outcomes in underserved populations worldwide.