Roles of Community Health Workers
The roles and activities of community health workers (CHWs) are tailored to meet the unique needs of the communities and populations they serve. Key CHW roles include:
- Health and social services connection involves creating connections, acting as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers, supporting communication, and educating healthcare providers about community health needs and perspectives.
- Patient navigation involves helping patients navigate healthcare and social service systems, making referrals, managing care transitions, providing follow up, determining eligibility for programs and services, and supporting enrollment in health insurance plans.
- Individual and community advocacy involves articulating the needs of individuals and communities and advocating for their access to needed services and resources.
- Direct service delivery involves providing informal counseling, conducting health-related screenings, and providing health education on chronic disease prevention, physical activity, and nutrition.
- Capacity building involves building community capacity to address health issues, addressing social determinants of health, and relaying information to others to inform programs and policies.
When determining a CHW's role, rural programs should consider individual and program-level factors. Individual factors that may shape a CHW's role include, for example, education, certification, training, and lived experience. Program-level factors that may shape a CHW's role are typically defined by the types of program services offered, such as outreach, navigation, education, and health services.
In rural communities, CHWs may fulfill these roles and deliver services in a variety of settings. Examples of common settings within which CHWs may work include patient homes, schools, worksites, faith-and community-based organizations, healthcare organizations, public health agencies, and other community- and healthcare-based settings.
Resources to Learn More
Resources for Community
Health Workers
Website
A compilation of community health worker (CHW) program resources providing information to support their work.
Offers guidance to certified health educators, community-based organizations, healthcare providers, health
insurers, and employers who work with CHWs. Topics address CHW programs in areas of asthma, cancer,
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infectious disease, injury prevention, obesity, and physical activity.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Role of Community Health Workers
Document
Describes the work activities of community health workers and how they help reduce heart health disparities and
promote health within underserved communities.
Organization(s): National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Date: 12/2020