Laboring With the Heart

Abstract

Little is known about promotoras' professional experiences engaging in Latinx health promotion. In this promotora-led community-based participatory study, we purposively recruited and interviewed 30 Spanish-speaking promotoras who worked in Los Angeles County and who had at least 5 years of experience as promotoras. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, findings revealed promotoras self-identified as health professionals who offered unique, insider perspectives. Challenges arose as employers viewed promotoras as volunteer lay health workers, while promotoras desired opportunities for professional growth. Motivation to continue working as promotoras stemmed from their commitment to Latinx communities. We provide recommendations to strengthen community-based capacity for advancing Latinx health.

Optimizing Prepregnancy Cardiovascular Health to Improve Outcomes in Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals and Offspring: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

“…126 Such interventions can incorporate peer leaders (such as community health workers, or promotoras) who serve as role models and provide social support to promote CVH. [127][128][129] Meeting women in the community by embedding place-based interventions within their neighborhoods-at venues such as hair salons, churches, public housing, college campuses, and workplaces-is another potential strategy to promote CVH. 115,116,130 Further investigation is needed to understand how incorporating interpersonal relationships and social support through partners, friends, and community may also optimize interventions.…”

Enhancing Diabetes Health Outcomes Among Haitian Migrants Living in Dominican Bateyes

“…Other researchers suggest combining education with culturally sensitive interventions to empower adults living with T2DM. 15,16 Culturally sensitive, adapted, and reasonably feasible interventions are also affordable and can have a positive impact when implemented in rural areas. 15,16 Health care workers and peer supporters from the same community who spoke the same language as the participants and providing interventions in the participants' well-known setting (eg, participant's house) were shown to enhance cultural sensitivity 15,16 and led to positive health outcomes for adults living with T2DM, such as decreased glycated hemoglobin.…”

“…The promotora is a trusted community member who assists the community with medication distribution, family planning, and general health counseling. 15 In the bateyes , the promotoras help with the mobile pop-op clinics by securing locations and informing community members of the mobile clinic’s schedules. The promotoras receive training, medical supplies, and a small stipend.…”

Original Research: Can a Palliative Care Lay Health Advisor–Nurse Partnership Improve Health Equity for Latinos with Cancer?

“…The effectiveness of LHA programs in the early intervention and management of chronic disease has been well documented. 28,29 A systematic review exploring the use of LHA interventions in Latino populations identified 14 studies that documented significant improvements in community health and behavioral outcomes. 30 Still, few programs have explicitly reported on how LHA intervention activities are tracked or documented.…”

“…Many LHAs complete specific training to incorporate certain health content and skills into their natural helping abilities. The effectiveness of LHA programs in the early intervention and management of chronic disease has been well documented 28, 29. A systematic review exploring the use of LHA interventions in Latino populations identified 14 studies that documented significant improvements in community health and behavioral outcomes 30…”