Watson, Estelle D.Moosa, ShabirJanse van Rensburg, Dina ChristinaSchwellnus, Martin PeterLambert, Estelle V.Stoutenberg, Mark2024-05-242024-05-242023-08Watson, E.D.; Moosa, S.; Janse Van Rensburg, D.C.; Schwellnus, M.; Lambert, E.V.; Stoutenberg, M. Task-Shifting: Can Community Health Workers Be Part of the Solution to an Inactive Nation?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023, 20, 6675. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176675.1660-4601 (online)1661-7827 (print)10.3390/ijerph20176675http://hdl.handle.net/2263/96221DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: No new data were created or analyzed in this study. Data sharing is not applicable to this article.BACKGROUND: In low-to-middle income countries (LMICs), there is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) placing strain on the facilities and human resources of healthcare systems. Prevention strategies that include lifestyle behavior counseling have become increasingly important. We propose a potential solution to the growing burden of NCDs through an expansion of the role for community health workers (CHWs) in prescribing and promoting physical activity in public health settings. This discussion paper provides a theoretical model for task-shifting of assessment, screening, counseling, and prescription of physical activity to CHWs. Five proposed tasks are presented within a larger model of service delivery and provide a platform for a structured, standardized, physical activity prevention strategy aimed at NCDs using CHWs as an integral part of reducing the burden of NCDs in LMICs. However, for effective implementation as part of national NCD plans, it is essential that CHWs received standardized, ongoing training and supervision on physical activity and other lifestyle behaviors to optimally impact community health in low resource settings.en© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.AdvocacyBehavior changeHealth promotionPhysical activityCommunity health worker (CHW)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingLow- and middle-income countries (LMICs)Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)Article