Identify a community health issue in your own area that community health workers (CHWs) are currently not tasked with working on. Why do you think they have not undertaken this issue? What benefit do you foresee if they were to get involved?
REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTION AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 200 WORDS EACH POST)
CLASSMATE’S POST
The area that I live in has multiple chemical plants. In 2009, there was a complaint filed from the residents against the International Paper Company. In this complaint, there were residents that alleged the paper company released hazardous substances within the environment. This has been an ongoing issue within the community and with the current announcement of a $2 million-dollar chemical plant construction, there is no end in sight. I do not feel this issue is not being picked up because the city uses it as an opportunity to improve the city. The chemical plants bring investments with the purchases of the land used. It also creates job opportunities for residents. If community health workers were to get involved, I foresee a compromise between the plants and the residents. An option is to buy out all of the homes in this area and relocate to the other side of town that does not house the chemical plants. This would take care of the complaints of nuisance that the chemical plant causes. Community workers can also be a liaison to make sure the policies and guidelines are being followed by the chemical plants.
