title: Community Health Worker Professional Advocacy: Voices of Action from the 2014 National Community Health Worker Advocacy Survey.
abstract: This mixed-methods study explores community health worker (CHW) engagement in professional advocacy. Data from the National Community Health Worker Advocacy Survey (n = 1661) assessed the relationship between CHW professional advocacy and CHW demographics, and work characteristics. Qualitative data articulated the quality of professional advocacy efforts. Approximately, 30% of CHW respondents advocated for professional advancement or collaborated with other CHWs to advance the workforce. Advocacy was more prevalent among CHWs affiliated with a professional network. CHW advocacy targeted recognition of the field, appropriate training and compensation, and sustainable funding. CHW professional advocacy is imperative to advancement of the field.
authors.affiliation: Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Dr Sabo, Mr Phillips, Dr Bell, and Ms Ingram); Louisiana Community Health Worker Institute, Tulane University School of Medicine, and Tulane Prevention Research Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (Dr Wennerstrom); Louisiana Community Health Outreach Network, Tulane Prevention Research Center, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana (Ms Haywood); and Arizona Community Health Worker Outreach Network, Somerton, Arizona (Ms Redondo).
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabo
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wennerstrom
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haywoord
authors.forename: Floribella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Redondo
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ingram
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011050:Policy Making; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States