Infographic: How Community Health Workers Save Lives in the Developing World

Imagine if pregnant women and their kids in developing countries could be given simple, lifesaving health care, even when miles away from a hospital or doctor. Community health workers—trained practitioners who provide health care for pregnant women, assist in childbirth, and treat newborns—provide just that service. Without community health workers, pregnant women and newborn babies in the developing world are at risk for disease. More than 350,000 women die in childbirth and pregnancy each year, and almost 3.6 million babies die before they are a month old. Even small complications can be deadly for people living so far away from hospitals. Community health workers are saving lives by using a very basic-but very important-set of solutions and techniques.

Tags: Community, Developing, Health, Infographic, Lives, Save, Workers, World

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Permalink Comment by Elliott Verreault on November 8, 2011 at 3:00pm

Even small complications can be deadly for people living so far away from hospitals.

Very true. Pretty solid statistics when you look at it! Great stuff!

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Permalink Comment by Megan McAninch on November 9, 2011 at 11:24am

It's wonderful to see attention finally paid to this! I've been fortunate enough to work with several CHWs and VHTs (Community Health Workers and Village Health Teams) throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, and it really is true. Particularly in providing maternal and child health, the simplest things can make an ENORMOUS difference regarding survivability and reduced morbidity/onset of infection.

Love all your infographics, Sukma :-)