The community health advisor program and the deep South network for cancer control: health promotion programs for volunteer community health advisors
Hinton, A.; Downey, J.; Lisovicz, N.; Mayfield-Johnson, S.; White-Johnson, F.
Family and Community Health 28(1): 20-27
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6379 PMID: 15625503 Document Number: 417805
The Community Health Advisor program is a proven, community-driven health promotion program that identifies and trains natural helpers who then seek to improve the health of individuals and their communities. This article details the basis of the Community Health Advisor model and describes early pilot programs in the Mississippi Delta. Also described is the formation of the Community Health Advisor Network, which provides technical assistance to Community Health Advisor programs and the proliferation of Community Health Advisor programs nationally. Specifically, details are presented of the modification of the model for the Deep South Network for Cancer Control and of early findings showing a decrease in health disparities in Alabama.