CHWs provided critical services to communities across the country as the nation fought a once a century crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 14,000 CHWs worked to convey faith in the vaccines to fight the disease. Their work increased vaccination rates to stem the tide. The positive outcome of their efforts led to even greater CHW deployment by cities, community groups, and health care systems.
- Multiple cities such as Chicago, Detroit, New York City, and San Diego today use a CHW corps for health education projects in underserved communities.
- Coalitions of community groups with federal grants use CHWs to work with Black, Native American, Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander, migrant communities, and older adults in counties across the country using culturally sensitive language and addressing the cultural nuances of these communities.
- More than 67,000 CHWs today work at hospitals, public health departments, and local service organizations
One Good Turn Deserves Another
In 2022, HHS launched the Community Health Worker Sustainability Workgroup. This federal interagency effort is chaired by the HHS Office of Minority Health to galvanize federal resources with the following targets:
Goal 1: Protect and strengthen equitable access to high quality and affordable healthcare
Goal 2: Safeguard and improve national and global health conditions and outcomes
Goal 3: Strengthen social well-being, equity, and economic resilience
HHS federal agencies also are issuing grants to increase the CHW workforce, hosting forums to consider best practices, and assessing impact of CHWs.
Learn more about how Community Health Workers are helping areas around the nation. This video is produced in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Association of Public Health Providers in Indiana.
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