H3.03 - Oral: Transforming Research: The Impact of Community Health Workers on Health Equity

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how Community Health Workers (CHWs) can empower and reach under-served populations. Learn about the San Diego State University Center for Equitable and Diverse Research (CEDR) and the innovative partnerships, including collaborations with researchers, local healthcare systems, and community based organizations to recruit and engage diverse communities. Gain insights into new approaches for dismantling inequitable policies that exclude marginalized populations from research and clinical trials. Embrace and understand CEDR's mission to ensure medical advancements benefit all, not just privileged groups. Explore how CHWs' advocacy is driving social justice through inclusive research and health equity, ultimately changing lives by preventing diseases in underrepresented communities.

Detailed abstract description: New innovative health technologies and therapies are being developed and tested every day, but historically marginalized communities are not adequately represented in clinical trials, resulting in innovations that may not work for these groups (Corneli, Hanlen-Rosado et al. 2023). Community Health Workers/Promotores (CHW/Ps) are trusted community members who work at the frontlines of public health. Their close connection to the community helps them act as liaisons between individual community members and health/social services, ensuring services are accessible and culturally appropriate. San Diego State University’s Center for Equitable and Diverse Research (CEDR) was built based on decades of experience working with and incorporating CHW/Ps into community projects and research with a focus on strengthening health equity and engaging communities.
CEDR is bridging the gap between academia and the community with the primary goal of addressing the disparity in clinical trial participation among historically underrepresented and under engaged communities by using the CHW model and patient centered approach.
Learn how our collaborations are reshaping the landscape of healthcare by ensuring that diverse communities can participate in and benefit from advancements in precise medicine, bridging the gap between innovation and social justice.
The presentation will provide real-world examples of how CHWs not only served their communities during the pandemic but are now becoming advocates for long-term change through their involvement in research, education, and advocacy. These CHWs are social justice warriors, advocating for their communities to have access to the same preventive care, treatments, and research opportunities as more affluent populations.
Discover innovative ways to train and empower CHWs to be catalysts for change in their communities. CEDR’s training programs and partnerships are designed to equip CHWs with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for equitable health policies, increase access to early detection and treatment options, and promote disease prevention. This presentation will show how these programs not only empower CHWs but also create a pathway for them to play an influential role in reshaping the future of healthcare research and delivery.
Whether you’re involved in public health, healthcare research, or community advocacy, this presentation will provide you with practical strategies to foster innovative partnerships, drive social justice initiatives, and advocate for more equitable health outcomes.
Walk away with actionable insights on how to engage diverse communities, advocate for their inclusion in research, and create sustainable health equity programs. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how community-based models like CEDR can transform healthcare systems, ensuring that advancements in research and treatment benefit all populations, not just the privileged few.