Training Community Health Workers at UCLA

Latinos will comprise nearly 30% of the population by 2050, and socially disadvantaged Latinos experience a greater burden of poor health and negative social consequences related to their alcohol use than non-Latino Whites. Despite the need for services, low treatment utilization rates and poor treatment retention suggest it is important to make alcohol interventions more accessible for Latinos. Community health workers are an effective way to help under-served populations manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, but they have been used very little in addiction services. This phase 2 randomized controlled trial study extends work from a pilot study that utilized community health workers to deliver a brief (3-session) alcohol intervention that integrates Motivational Enhancement Therapy and Strengths-Based Case Management (MET/SBCM). The MET/SBCM interventions in the pilot study were provided in Spanish by community health promoters (promotores) from a small community-based agency with high fidelity and participants reported high treatment satisfaction. Based on those promising but preliminary findings, we propose to test the MET/SBCM intervention among a broader population of socially disadvantaged Latinos who engage in unhealthy drinking.

The goal of this project is to establish an evidence base for an intervention approach that is sustainable by a large community-based organization serving Latinos. Working with community health workers poises this intervention to address health disparities within this community. The project will help improve the reach and impact of effective alcohol interventions among socially disadvantaged Latinos, thereby contributing to improved population health.

The study is in partnership with UCLA and a large community-based healthcare organization, Providence Center for Community Health Improvement.