Critical Links: Community Health Workers

Community health workers serve as the link between medical providers and their patients for minority and cultural communities. These workers are typically considered bicultural and bilingual as they are members of both the medical workforce and the specific cultural community of the patients with whom they interact. Thus, community health workers are able to help remedy the disconnect that clients may have with the medical system by working closely with patients in their homes and everyday community in a way that builds a relationship of mutual trust and encourages healthier habits. Although they have recognizable training through various health agencies, community health workers are not trained to diagnose illness; however, they can help link people with a nurse or doctor and walk them through the treatment process. Acting as a liaison between patient and provider can be satisfied through many different practices. Community health workers often serve as a teacher or mentor figure as they often advise clients on solutions to their health problems and continue to consistently work with them and give them support and motivation as they work towards achieving their health goals. However, these practices are subject to a wide array of various challenges. In order to effectively
However, the information and personal stories that it shares have allowed me to develop a strong appreciation for their role in creating healthier communities. Although it does not seem like an especially prestigious profession, without these workers, those people who experience the greatest health disparities in terms of health literacy and access might not have the means or courage to seek the medical advice and resources that they need. Community health workers help to eliminate health disparities and help to build healthier communities from the ground