A community health worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a connector between health/social services and the person to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.
CHWs have been a part of the healthcare landscape in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia for many years. While the CHW profession may not be as familiar as other healthcare roles, CHWs are gaining national recognition for providing culturally competent and accessible health care to under-resourced communities.
View our “Our Community, Our Story” video to understand the impact of community health workers in the community.
CHWs are also referred to as:
- Case Worker, Public Health Aide
- Community Care Coordinator
- Community Health Advisor, Educator, Promoter, Representative, Worker
- Community Outreach Worker, Specialist, Neighborhood Health Advisor
- Consejera, Animadora (counselor, organizer), Promotor(a) de Salud (health promoter)
- Environmental Health Aide, Family Service Worker
- HIV Peer Counselor
- Patient Navigator, Peer Educator, and more
