Empowered Community Leadership for Chronic Disease Prevention: Context Matters

Authors

  • Robert M. Mayberry
  • Pamela V. Daniels
  • Robina Josiah Willock
  • Fengxia Yan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2020.196

Keywords:

prevention, chronic disease, leadership

Abstract

Meaningful actions to reduce the disproportionate chronic disease burden in health-disparate, often segregated, and healthcare-vulnerable communities are challenging as there are many known and unknown multilevel factors that influence chronic disease prevention behavior. Despite the many challenges, community capacity can be built to facilitate prevention behavioral change. Community leadership among residents becomes that catalyst in building a sustainable capacity for chronic disease prevention (i.e., preventing diabetes, youth violence, or a novel disease) within the context of socioeconomic and other vulnerabilities. This article discusses the leadership role of community health workers (CHWs) as informed and empowered residents to catalyze multilevel prevention behavior change.

Author Biographies

Robert M. Mayberry

Robert M. Mayberry, Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, SW (A-330) Atlanta, Georgia 30310-1495. Phone: (404) 752-1878. 

Pamela V. Daniels

Pamela V. Daniels, MPH, PhD, MBA

Robina Josiah Willock

Robina Josiah Willock, MPH, PhD

Fengxia Yan

Fengxia Yan, MD, MS, Morehouse School of Medicine

Published

2020-10-21

How to Cite

Mayberry, R., Daniels, P., Willock, R. J., & Yan, F. (2020). Empowered Community Leadership for Chronic Disease Prevention: Context Matters. American Journal of Health Studies, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2020.196