By Molly Miller

Reports and Articles

Uta Lehmann and David Sanders (2007), “Community health workers: What do we know about them?” – In this report, produced by the World Health Organization, the authors explore the feasibility and effectiveness of community health worker programs on the global level, with a focus on the impacts that community health worker programs have had in areas with significant shortages of health care workers such as Latin America, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

E. Lee Rosenthal, J. Nell Brownstein, Carl H. Rush, Gail R. Hirsch, Anne M. Willaert, Jacqueline R. Scott, Lisa R. Holderby and Durrell J. Fox (2010), “Community Health Workers: Part of the Solution”, Health Affairs – This journal article explores the potential that community health workers have on ensuring adequate access to primary care services in under-served areas in a post-Affordable Care Act America.

Prabhjot Singh and Dave A. Chokshi (2013), “Community Health Workers – A Local Solution to a Global Program”, The New England Journal of Medicine – This journal article explores the current impact that community health workers are having in the United States and globally. Additionally, this article explores next steps for building up the community health worker occupation and ensuring that community health workers become and remain and integral part of the health care system.

Videos

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, “Critical Links: Community Health Workers” – This video explores the impact that community health workers in Minnesota have had on the state’s health care system, particularly with reaching vulnerable populations.

Oregon Community Health Worker Association, “Together, We Support Community Health: The Power of CHWs” – In this video, we hear from community health worker supervisors regarding the impact that their employees are having on health education and improving community health outcomes.

Resources

American Public Health Association Community Health Worker Section – The Community Health Worker section of the APHA provides networking opportunities for community health workers who attend the APHA Annual Conference as well as additional learning resources for section members hoping to improve their skills.

Rural Assistance Center Community Health Worker Toolkit – This toolkit provides organizations who are interested in started a community health worker program with the steps and resources needed for such a program to be successful. Available resources include tips on program models, training approaches, program implementation, developing sustainability plans, monitoring and evaluation, and sharing best practices.

Art: Andrea Benetti, Creative Commons.