Policy Evidence Assessment Report: Community Health Worker Policy Components

An assessment report by the CDC that is intended to inform about the strengths and limitations of evidence bases for individual components of chronic disease policy interventions. This particular report examines 14 CHW policy components, some of which are elements of successful CHW programs, so as to direct policy development.

Community Health Worker National Workforce Study

A study by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Describes a comprehensive national study of the CHW workforce and of the factors that have affected its utilization and development.

Affordable Care Act Opportunities for Community Health Workers – How Medicaid Preventive Services, Medicaid Health Homes, and State Innovation Models are Including Community Health Workers

A report by Harvard Law School, Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation. Overview of the three ways the Affordable Care Act has enhanced the role and opportunities for CHW in the U.S. healthcare system. As a result of these opportunities, states are choosing to implement CHW to: (1) provide increased Medicaid preventative health services, (2) create Medicaid “Health Homes” for beneficiaries living with chronic illness, and (3) improve health outcomes and quality of care while slowing growth in health costs through increased funding for State Innovation Models.

Addressing Chronic Disease through Community Health Workers: A Policy and Systems-Level Approach

A CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention-published policy brief. Provides guidance and resources for integrating CHW into community-based efforts to prevent chronic disease. Provides general information on CHW in the U.S., then details the value and impact of CHW in preventing and managing a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Provides descriptions of CHW chronic disease programs, examples of state legislative action, recommendations of policies for building an integrated and sustainable CHW workforce, and resources that can assist state health departments in working with CHW.