A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. (American Public Health Association)

CHW’s have a unique opportunity to reach community members where they live, eat, play, and work. They share similarities with the community members they serve such as ethnicity, language, culture, socioeconomic status, values, and life experiences.

The trusting relationships between community members and the CHW enables the CHW to serve as a liaison between health/resources and the community. The CHW facilitates access to services and improves the quality and cultural competence of services delivered. They also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

Addressing health disparities

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed and exacerbated health inequities, presenting medical and economic hardships. Public health is working hard to address the health disparities in historically marginalized communities. Disparities exist in nearly every aspect of health, including quality of health care, access to health care, utilization of health care, and health outcomes of illness and death.

There is a need for new ways of connecting with vulnerable community members. CHW’s are addressing health disparities in minority and underserved communities. They have a unique role in implementing culturally competent health promotion and disease prevention programs across the lifespan.

Advocates for change

An important role of the CHW is to advocate for the socioeconomic, environmental, and political rights of individuals and their communities. They are a trusted source of information for people who are apprehensive of medical and social support providing systems because of historic racism and other factors that make health care less accessible.

CHWs are community advocates and are often agents of social change. They can empower communities to make policy change that leads to healthier communities. CHWs support communities in achieving health, equity and social justice by ensuring fair treatment, access, opportunity advancement and outcomes for individuals and communities, eliminating health disparities. This honors the inherent value and contributions of every person regardless of socioeconomic class, religion, race, national origin, language spoken, immigration status, abilities or disabilities, age, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression.