Community health worker (CHW)

A community health worker is a frontline public-health worker who is a trusted member of, or has an unusually close understanding of, the community served. CHWs do home visits, health education, care navigation, and advocacy. They are not licensed clinicians but they bridge the gap between clinical care and lived community context.

CHW programs are increasingly Medicaid-reimbursed under 1115 waivers and managed-care contracts. For Black patient outcomes in maternal health, hypertension, diabetes, and mental health, CHW interventions have a robust evidence base of effectiveness when integrated into the care team.