Examining Differences in Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Based on Organizational Experience With CHWs: A Call for CHW Workforce Sustainability

Authors: Katie C Stalker, Noelle Wiggins, Ada Wilkinson-Lee, Tomas Nuño, Victoria Adewumi, Dana Hunter, Lorena Verdugo, Valerie Sanchez, Mary Ellen Brown

This study examined whether organisations with established community health worker (CHW) programmes were better prepared to respond to public health emergencies than those that were still developing their programmes. Using data from 67 organisations involved in the United States’ COVID-19 response initiative (2021–2024), the study found that organisations with existing CHW programmes trained more workers to respond to COVID-19 and offered a wider range of health and social service training. Organisations that were still building their programmes made slower progress. The findings show that having trained CHWs, established programmes and trusted community relationships in place helps communities respond more quickly to health emergencies. The study highlights the need for reliable, long-term funding to maintain CHW programmes and keep them prepared for future emergencies.