Incorporating community-engaged research into a statewide community health worker-driven infrastructure for addressing health disparities in public health emergency

Authors: Azeez B Aina, Antoniette Holt, Ashley H Meredith, Carey Frazier, Carla Harrison, Celeste Fonseca-Tames, Fransesca Lynnet, Jasmine D Gonzalvo, Karina Buenavides, Kourtney A D Byrd, Lance Boozer, Latrice Ligon, Maeve Companik, Margarita Hart, Megan Conklin, Natalia M Rodriguez, Olivia Zarate, Olunda Hunt, Rebecca Ziolkowski, Samantha Daniels, Charleston Sanders, Shamika Crowder, Yumary Ruiz, Omolola A Adeoye-Olatunde

This study looked at a new statewide model in Indiana that puts community health workers (CHWs) at the center of efforts to reduce health disparities and strengthen public health. Through focus groups across nine districts, CHWs and community partners proposed solutions like improving health literacy, expanding transportation, increasing access to care, and offering preventive health programs. The findings show that CHWs can successfully lead community-centered interventions and provide evidence to guide future policies.