States Engage Community Health Workers to Combat COVID-19 and Health Inequities

This commentary discusses how some states are bolstering their community health workforces to curb COVID-19 and improve the quality of care delivered to communities that have faced decades of discrimination.

Community health workers (CHWs) are uniquely positioned to build trust and address barriers that traditionally underserved communities face when seeking medical care and services. CHWs can also provide collaborative, patient-centered approaches to care and generate cost savings for state programs.