Community-Based Health Care, Including Outreach and Campaigns, in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

When health systems are overwhelmed and people fail to access the services they need, mortality from preventable and treatable diseases increase. Decision-makers will need to make difficult choices to ensure that COVID-19 and other urgent health care concerns are addressed while minimizing risks to health workers and communities. For example, services for sexual and reproductive health, maternal, newborn and child and adolescent health will require modification in order to ensure the continued well-being of women and children all over the world.

This report addresses the specific role of community-based health care in the context of COVID-19 and outlines the adaptations needed to keep people safe while maintaining the continuity of essential health services.