ERIC Number: EJ897785
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Oct
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0268-1153
EISSN: N/A
Outcome Effectiveness of the Lay Health Advisor Model among Latinos in the United States: An Examination by Role
Ayala, Guadalupe X.; Vaz, Lara; Earp, Jo Anne; Elder, John P.; Cherrington, Andrea
Health Education Research, v25 n5 p815-840 Oct 2010
The objective of this study was to examine lay health advisor (LHA) programs designed to promote health among US Latinos and the extent to which educator-only versus educator-plus-bridge programs differed in designs and outcomes achieved. Two independent coders reviewed 128 published articles on LHAs yielding information at two levels: (i) study design and participant and LHA characteristics from 61 studies that broadly compared educator-only versus educator-plus-bridge programs and (ii) implementation features and outcomes from 17 randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies with outcome data. LHA programs have been widely used with Latinos in certain US regions; our findings indicate that LHAs are effective intervention agents. We identified differences between educator-only and educator-plus-bridge LHA programs, although the small number of educator-plus-bridge programs with outcome data limited comparisons. Major gaps remain in research targeting Latino subgroups other than Mexican immigrants/Mexican Americans. Sufficient research has evaluated LHA programs among Latinos on their ability to achieve health behavior and/or health status changes. In the future, more of a focus on organizational and policy changes is warranted. Questions remain about diversity in LHAs' characteristics and roles, which influence not only outcomes but also program sustainability and dissemination.
Descriptors: Mexican Americans, Intervention, Health Behavior, Immigrants, Health Education, Health Promotion, Hispanic Americans, Journal Articles, Coding, Research Design, Participant Characteristics, Program Evaluation, Lay Teachers
Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://her.oxfordjournals.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A