Pandemic Funding is Running Out for Community Health Workers
Originally published on April 6th, 2022 GRANITE CITY, Ill. — As a community health worker, 46-year-old Christina Scott is a professional red-tape cutter, hand-holder, shoulder to cry on, and personal safety net, all wrapped into one. She works in an office in the shadow of the steel mill that employed her grandfather in this shrinking […]
Addressing Systemic Inequities and Racism in Community-Based Organization Funding
Originally published November 15th, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has both strained and exposed our country’s deep under-investment and under-valuing of community-based organizations (CBOs) and workforces (CBWs) – including food banks, churches, shelters, health advocates/navigators, Promotores and others – like never before. These organizations and community members have long played a critical role in delivering services and support tailored to address the downstream […]
Kids will soon be getting the vaccine, but several equity issues still stand in the way for BIPOC
Originally published October 29th, 2021 Twenty-eight million children are one step closer to receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. This week, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee voted to authorize the Pfizer vaccine for all kids ages 5-11 after reviewing clinical trial data. The vaccine is slightly different than the one for adults: “The main difference is […]
COVID-19 front lines need community health workers, yet they're not getting needed support
Originally published May 4, 2021 As a community health worker and executive director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, I’ve spent the past year gathering insights about the mental and emotional challenges for the people on the front lines of pandemic response in neighborhoods across America. I know well the anxiety and guilt they feel trying to comfort and support […]
To Strengthen The Public Health Response To COVID-19, We Need Community Health Workers
Originally published May 6th, 2020 The public health system is a critical firewall to reduce community spread of COVID-19 and to relieve the unsustainable pressure the US health care system is experiencing as a result of the pandemic. Community health workers (CHWs)—frontline public health staff who conduct outreach and build trust with vulnerable populations in […]
