COMMUNITY-HEALTH WORKERS - INTEGRAL MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH-CARE WORK-FORCE

As the US health care system strives to function efficiently, encourag e preventive and primary care, improve quality, and overcome nonfinanc ial barriers to care, the potential exists for community health worker s to further these goals. Community health workers can increase access to care and facilitate appropriate use of health resources by providi ng outreach and cultural linkages between communities and delivery sys tems; reduce costs by providing health education, screening, detection , and basic emergency care; and improve quality by contributing to pat ient-provider communication, continuity of care, and consumer protecti on. Information sharing, program support, program evaluation, and cont inuing education are needed to expand the use of community health work ers and better integrate them into the health care delivery system.