Enabling Trusted Messengers Within the Community Health Information Ecosystem

Authors: Heidi Arthur, Iliana Gilman, Leticia Reyes-Nash, Veena Sundar

This report looked at how community health workers in Cook County, Illinois, receive, check, adapt, and share health information. It found that CHWs are trusted by communities because of their relationships, cultural understanding, language skills, and lived experience, but they often work with information that is scattered, outdated, or difficult to verify. The report recommends better systems for checking and sharing information, keeping referral information up to date, supporting peer learning, and providing stronger support for CHWs. These changes could help CHWs communicate more effectively, strengthen community trust, and improve access to health services.