community health worker

A community health worker (CHW) is a member of a community who provides basic health and medical care within their community, and is capable of providing preventive, promotional and rehabilitation care to that community, typically without formal education equal to that of a nurse or doctor. A community health extension worker (CHEW) is a specially trained professional who provides similar preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care and services to people where they live and work. Other terms for this type of health care provider include lay health worker, village health worker, community health aide, community health promoter, and health advisor. Community health officers contribute to community development and can help communities improve access to basic health services. They are ...