individualPublic Health / HealthcareUnited States

Community Health Workers

Frontline public health workers serving as links between healthcare providers and the communities they support.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Community Health Workers

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trusted members of, or individuals with a close understanding of, the communities they serve. They focus on educating individuals and families about health behaviors, promoting preventive care, and assisting people in navigating complex healthcare systems. By operating within homes, neighborhoods, and community settings, CHWs address social determinants of health and support early intervention and ongoing care.

Ideas that could help Community Health Workers

Lay-Worker Mental Health Training Toolkit
A standardized, evidence-based training program designed to equip non-professional community members with the 'common features' of effective psychotherapy to provide basic mental health support in low-resource areas.
Why it helps: Provides them with a scientifically grounded framework to help their neighbors effectively without requiring a full medical degree.