Common Elements of Definitions

< Back	Next >

Woman holding the hands of another woman in a wheelchair.

The common elements of all of the definitions studied included that each:

Suggests membership in, or a special relationship with, community
Defines roles and functions
Suggests an underlying purpose, such as to:
- Improve access
- Promote equity

JavaScript is required to play this audio. The audio file can be found atnone.

[SPEAKER]

Many other definitions of CHW exist, although a growing number of states have adopted the APHA definition. Most of these definitions include some of the following elements:

They suggest or require that the CHW have some form of special relationship with the community served. This is an important topic, which we will address in Session 2
They specify a few basic roles or functions performed by CHWs
They suggest that the occupation of CHW exists for some underlying purpose, such as improving access to care or promoting health equity