title: Predictors and a framework for fostering community advocacy as a community health worker core function to eliminate health disparities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using a mixed-method, participatory research approach, we investigated factors related to community health worker (CHW) community advocacy that affect social determinants of health.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used cross-sectional survey data for 371 CHWs to assess demographics, training, work environment, and leadership qualities on civic, political, and organizational advocacy. We present advocacy stories to further articulate CHW activities. The data reported are from the recently completed National Community Health Workers Advocacy Study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CHWs are involved in advocacy that is community-focused, although advocacy differs by intrinsic leadership, experience, training, and work environment. We propose a framework to conceptualize, support, and evaluate CHW advocacy and the iterative processes they engage in. These processes create opportunities for community voice and action to affect social and structural conditions that are known to have wide-ranging health effects on communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The framework presented may have utility for CHWs, their training programs, and their employers as well as funders and policymakers aiming to promote health equity.
authors.affiliation: Arizona Prevention Research Center, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. sabo@email.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabo
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ingram
authors.forename: Kerstin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Reinschmidt
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schachter
authors.forename: Laurel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guernsey de Zapien
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carvajal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D003254:Consumer Advocacy / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged