Community Health Workers (CHWs) are the cornerstone of an effective, equitable health system, yet their own mental wellbeing is often an overlooked priority. Groundbreaking research from LVCT Health and our partners reveals the critical stressors—from burnout and financial insecurity to stigma and harassment—that undermine their vital work. But there is a clear path forward. Our […]
Quality Improvement (QI) is a systematic approach aimed at measuring performance, identifying gaps, and implementing strategies to improve the quality of health services. It ensures consistent delivery of appropriate services to achieve desired health outcomes. A key component of this process is the establishment of Work Improvement Teams (WITs). Despite facility-based QI interventions being used […]
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital in bridging informal and formal health systems, enhancing access to underserved populations. Despite their essential roles, they often contend with heavy workloads, limited structured support, and inconsistent compensation. While existing research has focused on their responsibilities, few studies have examined their lived experiences, particularly on their mental well-being (MWB). […]
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are globally acknowledged as a vital health workforce and a bridge between informal community health systems and formal healthcare systems. In resource-constrained settings, CHWs are often the only point of contact with formal health services for many among the urban and rural poor. CHWs have heavy workloads, are under-prioritized, have minimal […]
Community Health Workers (CHWs), locally known as Community Health Promoters (CHPs), are essential frontline providers of primary healthcare in underserved and low-resource settings. They are a vital link between the community and the community health system. Despite operating under high workloads and performing their tasks with minimal support as volunteers, their agency is seen in […]
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are globally acknowledged as a vital health workforce and a bridge between informal community health systems, and formal healthcare facilities. In resource-constrained settings like Kenya, CHWs are often the only point of contact with formal health services for particularly poor people in urban and rural contexts. CHWs have heavy workloads, are […]
The aim of SHINE’s research is to explore the stressors faced by Community Health Workers using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, and to co-develop, pilot, and evaluate holistic health system support packages in two different LMIC contexts – Bangladesh and Kenya. These packages will focus on strengthening CHWs’ mental well-being and agency, ultimately contributing […]
Strengthening health systems involves recognizing the importance of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and addressing their mental well-being and agency. CHWs are vital in delivering healthcare services and bridging the gap between formal healthcare systems and local communities. However, they often face numerous challenges, including heavy workloads, limited resources, insufficient training, and inadequate support, which can […]