Targeted Training for Health Workers Brings Zika Prevention Message to Communities
Community Health Worker Zika Training, March 3. Photo/Brendaly Rodriguez
Article Source: Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI)
As more reports of locally transmitted Zika virus emerge in Miami-Dade and throughout South Florida, community health workers can play a key role in educating the public about the prevention and control of vector-borne diseases like Zika. Earlier this year, in a response to a request from the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County for more education and awareness of Zika, the Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) partnered with the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, the Health Council of South Florida and the Miami-Dade Health Action Network to develop and administer a bilingual, accredited Zika virus training to local community health workers.
Community health workers, also known as promotores de salud in Spanish, educate the community about disease prevention and connect underserved, vulnerable populations to important resources. They are trusted members of their communities, speaking the language and understanding the culture in the areas that they serve. Leading the training efforts was Brendaly Rodriguez, manager of the Community Engagement and Cultural Diversity Program of the Miami CTSI, co-president of the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition and member of the national promotores de salud steering committee of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (HHS/OMH).