The Community Health Sentinel Network: A Narrative Review of Deploying Aides and Mobile Technology for Early Outbreak Detection and Chronic Disease Management
Abstract
Background: Persistent gaps in healthcare access in underserved and remote regions hinder timely disease detection and chronic disease control, undermining both individual and public health. Bridging this gap requires innovative models that extend surveillance and care beyond traditional clinical walls. Aim: This narrative review analyzes models for deploying community health aides/assistants, equipped with simple diagnostic tools and connected platforms, as an integrated extension of public health surveillance and primary care. Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, Global Health, and IEEE Xplore (2010-2024) was conducted, integrating literature on community health workers, mHealth, point-of-care testing, and health systems strengthening. Results: Evidence supports the viability of trained aides as effective "community sentinels." When supported by mobile health (mHealth) platforms for data transmission, clinical decision support, and supervisory oversight from nursing/administrative hubs, these networks can improve syndromic reporting for outbreaks, enhance management of hypertension and diabetes, and increase healthcare system reach. Key challenges include sustainable financing, data security, and integration with formal health records. Conclusion: Aide-led, technology-enabled sentinel networks represent a transformative, people-centered model for decentralized health intelligence and care delivery, effectively merging frontline public health and primary care functions.
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References
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Saleh Nasser Saeed Al-Qahtani, Abdullah Jufayn Eid Alqahtani, Moteb Mohammed Misfer Alkhathami, Yousef Mohammed Shudayyid Alharbi, Solamin Al-Humaidi Al-Harbi, Mansoor Mohammed Alharbi, Faris Farraj Hezam Alotaibi, Abdulhakim Salman Alsulayih, Faisal Shadid Dhaif Allah Almutairi, Meshari Shadid Dhaif Allah Al-Mutairi, Mohammad Abdullah M Alrehaili, Mohammed Shtaiwi Alhawaiti
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