Promotoras
Encyclopedia
Promotoras are Hispanic community health worker
who work within their communities to educate target audiences about health issues affecting those communities. Promotoras live in the communities in which they work, so they have an understanding of neighborhood and individual health, social issues affecting the community and unmet health and social needs. They serve as liaisons between their community and health, human and social service organizations. As liaisons, they often play the roles of advocate, educator, mentor, outreach worker, role model, translator and more.
Promotoras are not professional health workers, but rather community members who receive on-the-job training to provide basic health education and linkages to existing health and human service resources. Depending on the organizations with which they work, promotoras may volunteer their time, draw a salary or receive a stipend.
Traditionally, promotoras have been Latino women. However, more men are entering the field and the gender-neutral term “promotores” is increasingly being used to be more inclusive.
to provide medical treatment and education to rural villages within the country.
The use of promotoras began in 1973 in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico
, where Salud Y Desarrollo Comunitario de Cd. Juarez, A.C. (Health and Community Development of Juarez City), ran by the Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones Privadas (Mexican Federation of Private Associations [FEMAP]), developed the first promotora model to help provide medical care and education to marginalized communities in Juarez. From there, the promotora model spread across Mexico to other Latin American countries and eventually to the United States.
Community health worker
Community health workers are members of a community who are chosen by community members or organizations to provide basic health and medical care to their community...
who work within their communities to educate target audiences about health issues affecting those communities. Promotoras live in the communities in which they work, so they have an understanding of neighborhood and individual health, social issues affecting the community and unmet health and social needs. They serve as liaisons between their community and health, human and social service organizations. As liaisons, they often play the roles of advocate, educator, mentor, outreach worker, role model, translator and more.
Promotoras are not professional health workers, but rather community members who receive on-the-job training to provide basic health education and linkages to existing health and human service resources. Depending on the organizations with which they work, promotoras may volunteer their time, draw a salary or receive a stipend.
Traditionally, promotoras have been Latino women. However, more men are entering the field and the gender-neutral term “promotores” is increasingly being used to be more inclusive.
History
The role of community health workers can be traced back to the 1940s in the People’s Republic of China, where Chairman Mao Zedong introduced barefoot doctorsBarefoot doctors
Barefoot doctors are farmers who received minimal basic medical and paramedical training and worked in rural villages in the People's Republic of China. Their purpose was to bring health care to rural areas where urban-trained doctors would not settle...
to provide medical treatment and education to rural villages within the country.
The use of promotoras began in 1973 in Cuidad Juarez, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, where Salud Y Desarrollo Comunitario de Cd. Juarez, A.C. (Health and Community Development of Juarez City), ran by the Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones Privadas (Mexican Federation of Private Associations [FEMAP]), developed the first promotora model to help provide medical care and education to marginalized communities in Juarez. From there, the promotora model spread across Mexico to other Latin American countries and eventually to the United States.