Promotores de Salud: Feasibility of a pilot community health worker program to reach and engage Hispanic and Latino people with Parkinson’s disease

Resumen

Parkinson's disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, manifests with motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite similar incidence, clinical care for Hispanic patients with PD is poor compared to white non-Hispanic individuals. As a result, their participation in PD research also does not reflect expected values. These disparities suggest an underutilization of quality healthcare, socio-economic disadvantage, stigma, and cultural differences. Using a community health worker pilot program, we trained 298 <i>Promotores de Salud</i> to reach, educate, and engage the Hispanic community in healthcare. Outcomes demonstrated improved knowledge of PD among Promotores, as well as increased access and utilization of educational resources.