The community health worker (CHW) field in the U.S. has grown significantly, especially in the past 15 years. While this growth has brought more recognition and funding, it has also introduced challenges, such as attempts by various agencies to redefine CHW roles without proper input from CHWs themselves. This commentary stresses the importance of CHWs maintaining control over … [Read more...] about Commentary: Sustaining Community Health Workers-The Importance of Professional Self-Governance and Self-Determination
United States of America
Empowering Agricultural Workers Through Community Health Worker-Led Pesticide Safety Workshops in Washington State
A community health worker-led workshop in Washington state aimed to educate migrant and refugee agricultural workers about pesticide exposure prevention. The program, which included a Spanish-language mobile app, reached 263 participants across 49 communities. Before the workshop, most participants had no prior pesticide training. After the workshop, there were significant … [Read more...] about Empowering Agricultural Workers Through Community Health Worker-Led Pesticide Safety Workshops in Washington State
Community Health Worker Pay Equity
The National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW) conducted a survey in 2021 to better understand the work and challenges faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the U.S. The survey gathered responses from 867 CHWs, revealing insights into their employment status, overtime pay, and views on whether their wages are fair and sufficient. The results showed that … [Read more...] about Community Health Worker Pay Equity
Enhancing Community Health Workers’ Capacity for Diabetes Coaching: A Collaborative Approach to Support High-Need Residents
This program aimed to boost diabetes self-management in a low-income community by partnering with Community Health Workers (CHWs). The CHWs were trained to provide health coaching and collect data as part of a food-based health intervention. The program, which served Southeast Asian, Latino, and African American communities, included training and resources in multiple … [Read more...] about Enhancing Community Health Workers’ Capacity for Diabetes Coaching: A Collaborative Approach to Support High-Need Residents
Tools for Recruiting and Retaining CHWs in Public Health Agencies
The "Community Health Worker Toolkit: Capacity Building in Local Health Departments" helps local health departments (LHDs) recruit and retain community health workers (CHWs), who are vital for connecting communities with health and social services. Due to high turnover rates often linked to dissatisfaction with support and pay, the toolkit offers best practices for hiring and … [Read more...] about Tools for Recruiting and Retaining CHWs in Public Health Agencies