It’s midway through another calendar year, and summer will be over before we know it. At Public Good News, we’re embracing the moment to slow down, pause, and reflect on what we’ve learned from the community-based organizations our reporter talked to so far in 2024.
Looking back, we’re inspired by the innovative and resilient ways community health workers have shown up to serve people in their communities.
Here’s a roundup of some of the most important insights we’ve gathered about how to improve vaccine uptake and community health.
Clear, concise, and consistent communication can help remove barriers to health information
Talking about health in plain, everyday language is one of the many areas where community health workers excel. As the Institute of Spirituality and Health’s Moji Delano reminds us, “There’s so much information out there, that community members are struggling. They’re just like, ‘What do we need to know? What do we need to do?’”
PGN’s Community Voices stories give us tangible examples of how organizations help their communities navigate complex health information systems. Interviewees documented how they hosted regular town hall meetings to confront bias and stigma, promoted access and inclusion, and encouraged their communities to reach out for help.
- To fight pandemic fatigue, open dialogue is key, says Houston nonprofit.
- Shame and blame can create barriers to vaccination.
- How can health workers improve access to information in their communities?
- Utah nonprofit raises awareness about health and vaccines.
As COVID-19 exacerbates health inequities, community health workers respond with nuanced approaches
We may be out of the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the disease remains a risk across demographics. “Creating greater awareness about this problem is super important because it can help people understand what’s happening,” says Dr. Morales, co-director of the Latino Center for Health.
Some people face an increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19, especially people from marginalized communities and older adults. The health workers we’ve spoken to shared the factors they observe and some of the successful strategies they have used to increase vaccination rates.
- How community health screenings get more people of color vaccinated.
- How considering people’s family structure is key to getting seniors of color vaccinated.
- How long COVID impacts Washington’s Latine communities.
The role and impact of community health workers is ever-evolving
Community health workers have played a critical role getting more people vaccinated since 2021. Many health workers we spoke to shared how they adapted their training programs and recruited people from within their communities, like Carol Lemus at Lantern Services. “For any program, you have to understand what’s important to the people you serve,” she said.
- How trusted messengers increase vaccine uptake.
- A New York CBO trains a new generation of community health workers.
- How long-time health promotoras became essential messengers.
This article is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the CDC Foundation totaling $69,392,486 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. In addition, the CDC Foundation does not guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information or content contained in this article. Moreover, the CDC Foundation expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this article. This article are not intended as, and should not be interpreted by you as, constituting or implying the CDC Foundation’s endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the information, products, or services found therein.