Healthcare Policy
Volume 10, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 73-85

Improving health equity: The promising role of community health workers in Canada (Article) (Open Access)

Torres S.* , Labonté R. , Spitzer D.L. , Andrew C. , Amaratunga C.
  • a Institut de Recherche en Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal (IRSPUM), Santé et des Services Sociaux de Montréal, Pavillon du Parc, 7101, ave. du Parc, Montréal, QC 3064, Canada
  • b University of OttawaON, Canada, Flinders University of South Australia, Australia, University of SaskatchewanSK, Canada
  • c Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • d Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  • e School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

Abstract

This article reports findings from an applied case study of collaboration between a community-based organization staffed by community health workers/multicultural health brokers (CHWs/MCHBs) serving immigrants and refugees and a local public health unit in Alberta, Canada. In this study, we explored the challenges, successes and unrealized potential of CHWs/MCHBs in facilitating culturally responsive access to healthcare and other social services for new immigrants and refugees. We suggest that health equity for marginalized populations such as new immigrants and refugees could be improved by increasing the role of CHWs in population health programs in Canada. Furthermore, we propose that recognition by health and social care agencies and institutions of CHWs/MCHBs, and the role they play in such programs, has the potential to transform the way we deliver healthcare services and address health equity challenges. Such recognition would also benefit CHWs and the populations they serve.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Community Health Workers immigrant refugee public health service health equity professional standard health disparity Health Status Disparities human social determinants of health health status health auxiliary social care qualitative research Professional Role health personnel attitude interview health program Humans migrant Interviews as Topic Canada Emigrants and Immigrants Alberta evaluation study theoretical model Models, Theoretical Article case study teamwork health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84920494903&doi=10.12927%2fhcpol.2014.23983&partnerID=40&md5=81dd8b7e5ec162ffe8ae6f578e4178f1
DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2014.23983
ISSN: 17156572
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English