What is a CHW?

A community health worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has a strong understanding of the community served.

This trusting relationship helps the CHW to act as a connector between health and social services and the community. A CHW helps to increase access to care and to improve the quality of medical and social services and cultural competence (i.e., understanding the cultural differences, values, and beliefs of people in need) during service delivery.

Community Health Worker is an umbrella term and CHWs can go by many different names including peer educator, patient navigator, community outreach specialist, health advocate, HIV Peer Counselor, case work aide, health promoter, etc.

A CHW helps to build individual and community capacity to empower people and communities to solve shared problems to improve individual lives and the community overall. This work is achieved through health education, informal counseling, social support, outreach, and advocacy.

A CHW can assist with resources and services in their community such as housing, money management, mental health, substance abuse, benefits eligibility, educational opportunities, clothing, transportation, health and fitness and other services.