Community Health Workers (CHW) are trained public health workers who serve as a bridge between the communities they serve and the health care systems, social services and even state health departments.
A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.
CHWs are typically trained individuals who share socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicity, language, and/or life experiences with clients.