August 2, 2024

Amy Hurley MA, LSW, Director and Holly Pappada, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB

The Northwest Ohio Pathways HUB was fortunate to have been provided a unique opportunity to partner with Bowling Green State University to research the effects a Community Health Worker has on perinatal clients in reducing stress and improving mental health well-being. The study consisted of 119 mothers who completed a one-time survey, and 41 mothers participating in monthly semi-structured interviews for up to 8 months (totaling 220 interviews) and was conducted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic (a high stress time).  This study found Community Health Workers to be beneficial to their clients in terms of reducing stress and enhancing mental well-being while playing a pivotal role in addressing social determinants of health.

 In 2022, Ohio's infant mortality rate was 7.11 deaths per 1,000 live births, ranking it 8th among the states with the highest rates. We know that low birth weight is a leading indicator of infant mortality with low-birth-weight infants about 20 times more likely to die than heavier infants.  We also know that pregnant moms who have high levels of stress have increased chances of having a low-birth-weight baby.  Additionally, historical and structural racism has also been attributed to poor physiological effects and poorer health from stress associated with disparities.

What did we learn?

CHWs excel at connecting participants to essential resources and services, which directly impacts their mental well-being. The study highlighted several key areas where CHWs made a difference:

• CHWs helped clients obtain food, housing, baby items etc., which alleviated immediate stressors related to basic needs.

• They assisted clients in navigating the complexities of social service programs and public benefits, such as food and cash assistance, health insurance, and mental health services. This support helped reduce the bureaucratic burden on the clients, leading to decreased stress levels.

• One of the most impactful findings was the emotional and social support provided by CHWs. This support was crucial in reducing feelings of isolation and increasing a sense of security and hope among perinatal clients.

• One participant stated, “I can talk to her about anything. I feel like she’s a family member.”

• Another mother noted the calming effect of having her CHW present at doctor's appointments, stating that it significantly reduced her stress and provided reassurance.

CHWs were also recognized within the community for their efficiency and ability to "get things done." This reputation often facilitated quicker processing of applications and services, as seen in the example where a CHW's involvement expedited the processing of a client's application.

https://www.partnershipsforadvancingcommunityhealth.org/s/NWO-Pathways-study.pdf