Abstract
The Promotores/Community Health Worker (P/CHW) model has been highlighted as an effective means of promoting healthy communities and addressing health disparities among at-risk groups not only in the United States but globally. In particular, integration of P/CHWs into local government programs has been considered as a viable means for advancing community resilience, preventive care and wellness. P/CHWs navigate vulnerable populations into the health care system in a timely manner, thereby improving health outcomes overall.
Many P/CHWs have experienced system and cultural barriers on a personal level. This firsthand knowledge provides them with the proper tools to help eliminate the barriers that prevent people from accessing quality health care. They have access to information about local resources, are trained in a culturally and linguistically proficient manner on health issues and are able to navigate those needing follow up care. People who are low-income, elderly, racial/ethnic minorities, women and those residing in rural areas endure serious challenges when diagnosed with chronic diseases caused by lack of information and means of communication. P/CHWs are routinely needed to assist communities and organizations with outreach activities (education to screening), and in-reach (navigation from diagnosis through treatment). These same individuals can be trained on clinical research and used as clinical trials navigators. P/CHWs are the answer to addressing the problem of recruitment and retention of underserved populations as participants in clinical trials.
Citation Format: Jackie Ramos-Calderon. Community Health Workers Navigating Patient through Clinical Trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr IA35.
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