http://global.evipnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/doc_2_delivery-arrangements_lay-health-workers_cochrane2005_CD004015.pdf

Consumers, who are not certified health care professionals, may be trained to promote health and provide health care services. Todetermine whether these "lay health worker" programmes are effective, 43 studies were found and analysed. The studies took place mostly in USA, Canada and the UK. Overall, lay health worker programmes appear to be effective for some kinds of healthcare, but there is not yet enough evidence to say that this is true for all or most kinds of healthcare. Compared to usual care,lay health worker programmes to increase immunization (vaccination) in children and adults and programmes to improve health in people with lung infections and malaria may be effective. These programmes may also be effective in increasing breastfeeding, and in decreasing death in the elderly through providing home aide services. They may also have a small effect in increasing the uptake of breast cancer screening. There is not enough evidence to show whether lay health worker programmes are effective for other health care problems (for example, for managing high blood pressure or supporting alcoholics or mothers of sick children). It is also not known how best lay health workers should provide services and how much training they need to be effective.