Sponsored By W. K. Kellogg Foundation

Community Health WorkersWhat Are They?

Community Health Workers

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and has an unusually close understanding of the community served.

Community Health Workers Are Known By

Many Titles• Community Health Advocates

• Community Health Educators

• Outreach Workers• Community Health Advisors

• Lay Health Advocates

• “Promotores (as)”• Outreach Educators• Community Health Representatives

• Peer Health Promoters• Mental Health Aides• Navigators• Peer Health Educators

What do CHWs do?• Outreach, community

mobilization and advocacy

• Community/cultural liaison

• Home based services and social support

• Health promotion, prevention and education

• Navigates health systems• HealthCare Team member

Clinic-Community LinkagesROLES OF CHWs

COMMUNITY• Point person for community

resources• Provides social support• Flexibility of “office” – may

be in the community• Home visitor

CLINICAL• Serves as a liaison between

the patient and various resources

• Reinforces educational messages given to the patient by the healthcare team

• Operates as a member of the healthcare team

• Flexibility in location of “office” – may have a base at a clinic.

Improving Quality of Care

IMPACT ON CARE

Clinical• Fewer visits for same

complaint• Patient compliance with

clinical instructions• Improves health outcomes• Empowers patient• Improves quality of care

CommunityHealthier communitiesHealthcare costs loweredIncreased access to care

Where Do CHWs Work?

CHWs provide services in a number of settings including community clients’ homes, faith-based organizations, their employers or sponsoring agencies, community health centers,non-profit organizations, public health clinics and private clinics, public housing organizations, hospitals and other settings.

CHWs receive training to help them understand their roles as members of the health or social service teams. CHWs have eight core competencies on which they must train and become knowledgeable. These assure mastery of knowledge and skill, provides a holistic approach to meeting community health needs, links learning to employment opportunities and meets certification requirements.

What Training Do CHWs Have?

Community Health Workers are currently being used to build capacity to reduce health disparities. In Mississippi, they are being used to address direct care, prevention, and intervention

CHWs in Mississippi

CHWs in MississippiCHWs work at the community level in both rural and urban communities to help health and social service agencies address issues such as diabetes, child health, high blood pressure, nutrition, tobacco control, lack of access to healthcare and health education, and health disparities through health education and health promotion activities.

The majority of CHW services in MS are currently not eligible for reimbursement. However, CHW services are

reimbursed for a small percent of agencies such as SCHIP, Medicaid, Medicare, and private health insurance.

National support & movement towards CHW

recognitionThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

of 2010 (PPACA) cites CHWs in three sections — §5101, §5313, and §5403 — and identifies them

as an important part of the health care workforce.

Mississippi Organizations Use of CHWs

• 78% are nongovernment organizations• 75% utilize a combination of paid and volunteer CHWs• 38% of CHWs work in programs supported by HRSA• Nearly 30% of the organizations fund their CHWs using a mix

of federal, state, local and private sources.• 1 in 3 organizations view CHWs as a viable part of the work

force.

National Support & Movement Towards CHW

Recognition• Association of State and Territorial

Health Officials 2012• CDC Division for Heart Disease

and• Stroke Prevention 2011• National Prevention Council 2011• HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial

and Ethnic Health Disparities 2011• American Association of Diabetes

Educators 2010• Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010• HHS National HealthAction Plan to

ImproveHealth Literacy 2010• Agency for Healthcare Research &

Quality 2009• American Public Health

Association 2009, 2001• National Conference of State

Legislatures 2008• National Fund for Medical

Education 2006• Institute of Medicine 2003• American Medical Association

2002

For More Information on Community Health

WorkersTougaloo CollegeCentral Mississippi Area Health Education Center350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive, Suite 3320Jackson, MS 39213Phone: (601) 987-9463

Website:www.tougaloo.edu/administration/health-and-wellness/central-mississippi-area-health-education-centerorhttp://tinyurl.com/wearechws

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tougaloohealthTwitter: www.twitter.com/tougaloohealth