Addressing chronic disease through community health workers : a policy and systems-level approach

Second edition.This document provides guidance and resources for imple- menting recommendations to integrate community health workers (CHWs) into community-based e orts to prevent chronic disease. After providing general information on CHWs in the United States, this document sets forth evidence demonstrat- ing the value and impact of CHWs in preventing and managing a variety of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and cancer. In addition, descriptions of chronic disease programs that are engaging CHWs are o ered, examples of state legislative action are provided, recommendations for comprehen- sive polices to build capacity for an integrated and sustainable CHW workforce in the public health arena are made, and resources that can assist state health departments and others in making progress with CHWs are described.CS254435-Achw_brief.pdf201