"It's a 24-hour thing...a living-for-each-other concept": Identity, networks, and community in an urban village health worker project

The perspectives of lay health advisors undertaking community health programs & their activities, support resources, rewards, & challenges were examined via focus group, interview, documentary, & participant observation data over a 4-year period among a small group of lay advisors working in a Detroit, MI, community. These "village" health workers used existing social networks to promote individual & community health. Qualitative analysis showed that reciprocal & quality support among the advisors, social networks, & funding sources were very important. Community empowerment took place at three levels of change -- individual, organizational, & community. Evaluation shows that such advisors can use their resources, experience, & expertise to address social processes contributing to health inequalities. Implications for health education related to lay health advisor roles, recruitment, training, & support are discussed. 47 References. Adapted from the source document.