Promotores de Salud: Feasibility of a pilot community health worker program to reach and engage Hispanic and Latino people with Parkinson's disease
Stevens, E.; Ghilardi, M. F.; Di Rocco, A.; Lima, M.; Tatti, E.; Sperlakis, D.; Fearday, J.; Deoudes, M.-M.; Vanegas-Arroyave, N.; Hernandez, D.; Latapi-Gonzalez, P.; Evers, C.
Show abstract
Parkinsons disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, manifests with motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite similar incidence, clinical care for Hispanic patients with PD is poor compared to white non-Hispanic individuals. As a result, their participation in PD research also does not reflect expected values. These disparities suggest an underutilization of quality healthcare, socio-economic disadvantage, stigma, and cultural differences. Using a community health worker pilot program, we trained 298 Promotores de Salud to reach, educate, and engage the Hispanic community in healthcare. Outcomes demonstrated improved knowledge of PD among Promotores, as well as increased access and utilization of educational resources.