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Community Health Workers + Strengthening for Outbreak Detection and Response
*The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests in this show are not necessarily the views of Children’s Health Defense.
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*The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests in this show are not necessarily the views of Children’s Health Defense.
Resources
‘In any public health emergencies, local communities are the first to respond, significantly influencing outcomes during armed conflicts, natural disasters, or infectious disease outbreaks.
‘Recognizing the strengths, assets, and expertise of community-based groups, the World Health Organization (WHO) has placed community protection at the core of its renewed global architecture for Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPR). By embedding community-centered policies, strategies, and practices, WHO is working with national governments, local networks, and the community health workforce to enhance community engagement throughout the emergency cycle.
‘One of the first applications of this new approach was during the global mpox response. WHO developed an innovative training package for community health workers (CHWs) that integrated outbreak detection and response with risk communication, mental health and psychosocial support, infection prevention and control, and community coordination. The package is unique in integrating multiple areas of health emergency response for community health workers.
‘The first pilot of this training was conducted in November,2024, in Pakadjuma, an informal settlement in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), followed by a national Training of Trainers in early 2025. The aim was to equip CHWs with the skills needed to detect cases and respond to the mpox outbreak, engage communities, and improve infection prevention and control practices.
‘In February 2025, this approach was used to train 18 village health workers from 3 districts in Entebbe, Uganda, to enhance community-based Ebola detection and response.’
CHD.TV offers a wide range of content pertaining to children's health. We regularly stream hearings, meetings and lectures from the World Economic Forum, National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization and other entities to keep you up to date the tactics and ideologies of those who influence public health, though Children's Health Defense may not have any affiliation with these organizations or individuals.
