What Are the Roles of Community Health Workers in Medicaid Managed Care? Results from a National Study.

Managed care organizations (MCOs) are increasingly engaging community health workers (CHWs) to support service delivery for their members, particularly in the realm of social determinants of health. Some states now require MCOs to offer CHW services. Although the roles and activities of CHWs working in other contexts (eg, clinics, hospitals, community-based organizations) are well established, there is sparse knowledge about how MCOs are operationalizing CHW roles and whether CHW activities differ based on whether CHWs are employed directly by MCOs or contracted through other organizations.

Establishing a health profession: What oncology patient navigators can learn from the National Association of Community Health Workers.

Persons who identify as community health workers (CHWs) may hold other titles and/or certifications, including the title of patient navigator (PN). PN roles first emerged from Dr. Harold Freeman's initiative at Harlem Hospital as a strategy to reduce disparities in access to health care, whereas CHW roles extend beyond health systems and are predominantly found in community-based organizations and nonprofits.

Change agents in the oncology workforce: Let's be clear about community health workers and patient navigators.

Despite efforts of professional organizations and government agencies to solidify the professional identities of community health workers and patient navigators in the oncology workforce, the scientific literature perpetuates wide variation in the nomenclature used to define these natural change agents, who have proven efficacy in improving access to quality cancer care for historically marginalized populations. To disseminate, sustain, and scale-up these life-saving roles in cancer care, the oncology field must come together now to adopt clear and consistent job titles and occupational identities.

Processes for Implementing Community Health Worker Workforce Development Initiatives.

The objective of this observational, cross-sectional study was to identify, document, and assess the progress made to date in implementing various processes involved in statewide community health worker (CHW) workforce development initiatives. From September 2017 to December 2020, we developed and applied a conceptual model of processes involved in implementing statewide CHW initiatives. One or more outputs were identified for each model process and assessed across the 50 states, D.

"Nothing About Us Without Us": Insights from State-level Efforts to Implement Community Health Worker Certification.

As community health workers (CHWs) have increasingly become recognized as members of health care teams, several states have considered or implemented processes to certify them. Between April and September 2017, we interviewed 41 stakeholders (e.g.

Return on investment from employment of community health workers.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are gaining acceptance in the US health care system, but have been subject to challenges as to their "cost-effectiveness." This situation is shifting, with a growing body of published evidence as to the effectiveness of CHWs, but much of the evidence of cost savings from employing CHWs is still unpublished. Return on investment analysis for CHWs must consider a range of possible CHW roles and stakeholder points of view.

Community health workers can be a public health force for change in the United States: three actions for a new paradigm.

Community health workers (CHWs) have gained increased visibility in the United States. We discuss how to strengthen the roles of CHWs to enable them to become collaborative leaders in dramatically changing health care from "sickness care" systems to systems that provide comprehensive care for individuals and families and supports community and tribal wellness. We recommend drawing on the full spectrum of CHWs' roles so that they can make optimal contributions to health systems and the building of community capacity for health and wellness.

Recommendations for developing and sustaining community health workers.

This report provides recommendations for the development and sustenance of community health workers. These recommendations are a result of the San Antonio Community Health Worker Summit held January 2010. Recommendations include defining the workforce, training standards, evaluating financial benefit, strategizing Medicaid reimbursement, and creating support networks.

Community health workers "101" for primary care providers and other stakeholders in health care systems.

Today's ambulatory care providers face numerous challenges as they try to practice efficient, patient-centered medicine. This article explains how community health workers (CHWs) can be engaged to address many patient- and system-related barriers currently experienced in ambulatory care practices. Community health workers are frontline public health workers who serve as a trusted bridge between community members and health care providers.

Professionalization and the experience-based expert: strengthening partnerships between health educators and community health workers.

The recent inclusion of community health workers (CHWs) in the U.S. Department of Labor's 2010 Standard Occupational Classification System provides an opportunity for health educators to reflect on their relationship with CHWs.

Community health workers: part of the solution.

Community health workers are recognized in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as important members of the health care workforce. The evidence shows that they can help improve health care access and outcomes; strengthen health care teams; and enhance quality of life for people in poor, underserved, and diverse communities. We trace how two states, Massachusetts and Minnesota, initiated comprehensive policies to foster far more utilization of community health workers and, in the case of Minnesota, to make their services reimbursable under Medicaid.

Focus on the future: a community health worker research agenda by and for the field.

Problem: Research articles describing community health worker (CHW) programs often focus on program activities and short-term outcomes, failing to assess CHWs' long-term contributions to improving individual and community health. Reflecting this, CHWs are supported by short-term public and private funding.

Purpose: To inform policies that will potentially increase support and funding for CHW work, specific research is needed providing evidence of CHW effectiveness.