The launch of the Community Health Promoters’ Initiative (CHPI) in Ethiopia's three most populous regions (Amhara, Oromia, SNNP) marks a significant step by communities to improve their families' health. The CHPI builds the capacity of communities to improve child and family health through promotion of small do-able actions that lead to improved health. Since February 2003 roll-out, the CHPI has received a positive reception from communities, frontline health workers, and managers.

Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are volunteers, selected by the community, who attend two-day trainings on key health themes. The training emphasizes action-based messages to effect positive changes in health behavior. CHPs are encouraged to first take action in their own home before promoting messages to friends and neighbors. In this way, the CHPI draws on volunteers’ natural motivation to help their families.

CHPs promote health messages during activities, such as coffee ceremonies, visits (new births, sick children), fetching water, and marketing. They also help organize the community for outreach services. As of November 2006, about 30,000 CHPs are active.

The CHPI supports the national Health Services Extension Program (HSEP). With one CHP to 50 households, CHPs expand the promotion and organizational work of health extension workers (HEWs). Where the two initiatives overlap, HEW and CHP collaboration has brought noticeable changes.

Results are encouraging--increased attendance at immunization sessions, antenatal care, and construction and use of latrines. Ensuring HEW follow-up of CHPs is essential to early program success.