Chapter One The Role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) (2009) Editors: Berthold, T., Miller, J., and Avila-Esparza, A. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

What you will learn Who are Community Health Workers (CHWs) CHWs’ responsibilities Where CHWs work Populations that CHWs service Health issues that CHWs address CHWs five models of care CHWs eight core competencies Key words to know

Who are CHWs? CHWs work with diverse communities at risk for illness, disability, and death. CHWs reduce health inequalities in the rates of illness, disability, and death among different communities.

What are CHWs’ responsibilities? Outreach Home visits Case management Health education Counseling Advocacy Community organizing

CHWs’ gender/ethnicity/ education background 82% are female between the ages of 30 and 50 35% are Hispanic; 39% are Caucasian; 15% are African American 35% have high school diplomas 20% have some type of college 31% have a four year degree

Health issues that CHWs address The #1 health issue that CHWs address is HIV/AIDS 2 nd – Diabetes 3 rd – High Blood Pressure 4 th – Cancer 5 th – Cardiovascular Disease 6 th – Heart Disease CHWs address health issues by health education and by patient-centered services such as interpreting, counseling, and transportation.

CHWs Five Models of Care 1. Member of a healthcare delivery team 2. Navigator 3. Screening and health education 4. Outreach/enrolling/informing agent 5. Organizer

Eight CHWs Core Competencies 1.Communication 2.Interpersonal skills 3.Content knowledge 4. Service coordination 5. Capacity-building 6. Advocacy 7. Teaching 8. Organization

Words to know Mortality Credentialing Advocate (verb) Social Justice Advocate (noun) Health Inequalities Competencies