Peer education is an approach to health promotion in which community members are supported to promote health-enhancing change among their peers. Investigating such an approach was Action 2.3 in the Action Plan. This project has now been implemented and is ongoing.
Peer Educator training commenced in August 2022, with 21 social housing residents recruited as Peer Educators, delivering workshops on 18 topics to over 630 community members.
The project by Sydney’s Local Health District in partnership with Counterpoint Community Services covers topics such as peer education theory, the Australian Health Care System, blood-borne viruses, mental health, drug health, healthy eating and nutrition, oral health, domestic violence, hoarding and squalor and population health.
The Peer Educators are highly engaged and actively participate in designing and facilitating all sessions. In addition to increased community involvement, volunteerism, and health literacy, some peers have secured employment or further education.
Academic advisers from the Health Equity Research and Development Unit (HERDU) conducted an evaluation to investigate the program’s impact and how it can reduce health inequities.
This report below summarises the critical findings of the evaluation pilot program.
For more information on this program, please get in touch with us at:
SLHD-integratedcareteam@health.nsw.gov.au
With thanks to
Report Authors: Dr Esther Alloun, A/Prof Fiona Haigh
Research Team: Dr Esther Alloun, A/Prof Fiona Haigh, Dr Cathy O’Callaghan, Ms Miriam Olliek
Alloun E and Haigh F (2024), Sydney Local Health District Peer Educator Program: Waterloo Pilot Program Evaluation Report. Sydney, SLHD and UNSW.
