Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management
Published on: January 19, 2024
Community Health Worker Impact on Chronic Disease Outcomes Within Primary Care Examined Using Electronic Health
Maia Ingram1, Kevin Doubleday1, Melanie L Bell1
1Maia Ingram, Kevin James Doubleday, Melanie L. Bell, Abby Lohr, Samantha Sabo, Jill Guernsey de Zapien, and Scott C. Carvajal are with the College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson. Lucy Murrieta is with the Sunset Community Health Center, Yuma, AZ. Maria Velasco and John Blackburn are with the El Rio Community Health Center, Tucson.
Objectives:
To investigate community health worker (CHW) effects on chronic disease outcomes using electronic health records (EHRs).
Methods:
We examined EHRs of 32 147 patients at risk for chronic disease during 2012 to 2015. Variables included contact with clinic-based CHWs, vitals, and laboratory tests. We estimated a mixed model for all outcomes.
Results:
Within-group findings showed statistically significant improvements in chronic disease indicators after exposure to CHWs. In health center 1, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) decreased 0.15 millimoles per mole (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.24, -0.06), body mass index decreased 0.29 kilograms per meter squared (CI = -0.39, -0.20), and total cholesterol decreased 11.9 milligrams per deciliter (CI = -13.5, -10.2). In health center 2, HbA1c decreased 0.43 millimoles per mole (CI = -0.7, -0.17), body mass index decreased by 0.08 kilograms per meter squared (CI = -0.14, -0.02), and triglycerides decreased by 22.50 milligrams per deciliter (CI = -39.0, -6.0). Total cholesterol of 3.62 milligrams per deciliter (CI = -6.6, -0.6) in health center 1 was the only improvement tied to CHW contact.
Conclusions:
Although patients' chronic disease indicators consistently improved, between-group models provided no additional evidence of impact. EHRs' evolution may elucidate CHW contributions moving forward.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Methods of Documentation VII: EMR
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:11Purpose of Health Records I
Here's a breakdown of how health records serve these purposes:
01:15Methods of Documentation VI: Case Management Model
For example, a patient with a chronic...
01:19Purpose of Health Records II
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Long-Term Care Facilities