Role of Community Health Workers in Health Care

According to the American Public Health Association, a community health worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who has a close understanding of the community served and is a trusted liaison, and link between health care, social services and the community. They facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. 

The CDC recommends that CHWs serve on health care teams to help eliminate racial and ethnic disparities. 

As part of a health care team, CHWs:

• Facilitate access to services
• Improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery
• Increase patient health knowledge and self-sufficiency
• Perform outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy

Resources

• Community Health Workers “101” for Providers and Other Stakeholders
• Community Health Workers: Part of the Solution
• Experiences of Community Health Worker Employers in Minnesota: A review of CHW utilization, lessons learned, and future outlook from select organizations employing CHWs in Minnesota (PDF)

Role of CHWs in managing chronic conditions

• Promote, encourage, and support positive, healthful self-management behaviors
• Help people get the services and follow-up care they need to control their condition
• Strengthen community understanding and acceptance of health care for chronic conditions

Resources

• CDC Community Health Worker Resources
• Knowledge and Behavioral Effects in Cardiovascular Health: Community Health Worker Health Disparities Initiative, 2007–2010
• Community Health Workers in Diabetes Management and Prevention (PDF)
• Cost-Effectiveness of Nurse Practitioner/Community Health Worker Care to Reduce Cardiovascular Health Disparities (PDF)
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control: Interventions Engaging Community Health Workers