Key Elements of a Community-Engaged Approach to Evaluating a Nationwide Community Health Worker Program

Authors: Noelle Wiggins, Victoria Adewumi, Katie C Stalker, Ada M Wilkinson-Lee, Schell McCrory, Rodolfo R Vega, Durrell J Fox, Mary-Ellen Brown

This study describes how a nationwide community health worker programme in the United States was evaluated between 2021 and 2024, with CHWs actively involved in leading the process. The approach helped assess the programme while ensuring that the experiences of CHWs and the communities they serve were considered. However, limited time, funding, staffing and differences in how programmes collected information made it difficult to measure long-term results and compare strategies. The authors recommend involving CHWs in designing evaluations, using common measures, and giving future programmes more time to assess their effects on community health and well-being.