Community health workers(CHWs) are trained frontline public health workers who are responsible for a variety of roles in New Zealand(NZ) health system. This paper will first state their roles and responsibilities, where and how they work, besides whom they might work with. Secondly, key challenges they address in their work and their contributions towards an integrated health system will be described. Lastly, key criteria for evaluating web-based information applied in data researching for this paper will also be explained.
As public health programs increase individuals ' dependency rather than making them independent, idea of coalition building and strengthening community approach to public health care has become better known. In these …show more content…
As members of the primary health care team, they acts at the intersection point between mainstream and traditional model of health. They provide cultural-based activities and interventions and deal with competing responsibilities under dual cultural-professional norm as they serve both contracts and community expectations (Forrest et al., 2011). Considering the need of whanau, Maori CHWs focus on developing overall health status, making decisions about health, formulating health plans for specific problems: sexual health issues; tobacco, alcohol and drug use while ensuring that their help is inclusive for the patients that need it the most (Boulton, Gifford & Potaka-Osborne, …show more content…
“By Māori For Māori”, Maori CHWs utilise their cultural experience to smoothen the operation of services; they make up over 50% of the total maori health workers in Maori health providers (Forrest et al.,2011). Maori health providers are Maori owned and governed not-for-profit organisations contracted with central government including the MOH, Ministry of Social Development and District Health Board(DHB). They provide comprehensive primary health care(CPHC) to their enrolled patients including preventative, diagnostic, health promoting, curative and rehabilitative services (Forrest et al.,2011). Each maori health provider has specific aim and target: Kokiri Marae Health Social services(KMHSS), a marae-based provider offers free mobile services; advocacy; and support to whānau operating under the Hutt Valley DHB serving people in
As public health programs increase individuals ' dependency rather than making them independent, idea of coalition building and strengthening community approach to public health care has become better known. In these …show more content…
As members of the primary health care team, they acts at the intersection point between mainstream and traditional model of health. They provide cultural-based activities and interventions and deal with competing responsibilities under dual cultural-professional norm as they serve both contracts and community expectations (Forrest et al., 2011). Considering the need of whanau, Maori CHWs focus on developing overall health status, making decisions about health, formulating health plans for specific problems: sexual health issues; tobacco, alcohol and drug use while ensuring that their help is inclusive for the patients that need it the most (Boulton, Gifford & Potaka-Osborne, …show more content…
“By Māori For Māori”, Maori CHWs utilise their cultural experience to smoothen the operation of services; they make up over 50% of the total maori health workers in Maori health providers (Forrest et al.,2011). Maori health providers are Maori owned and governed not-for-profit organisations contracted with central government including the MOH, Ministry of Social Development and District Health Board(DHB). They provide comprehensive primary health care(CPHC) to their enrolled patients including preventative, diagnostic, health promoting, curative and rehabilitative services (Forrest et al.,2011). Each maori health provider has specific aim and target: Kokiri Marae Health Social services(KMHSS), a marae-based provider offers free mobile services; advocacy; and support to whānau operating under the Hutt Valley DHB serving people in