Arizona’s health care system is in search of answers to the challenges presented by an increasingly “graying” baby boomer population, the prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and significant cultural and ethnic shifts. One historically-proven option to address these challenges? The Community Health Worker (CHW).

In FY2015 St. Luke’s Health Initiatives partnered with the Saguaro Evaluation Group and a number of Arizona-based CHW organizations to produce Community, Health, Savings: The Power of Community Health Workers. The publication is a policy primer for stakeholders and policy makers that documents the effectiveness and potential for more cost-effective health improvement by certifying and compensating CHWs.

More than 800 recognized CHWs are already providing Arizonans with a variety of services within the continuum of care. They bridge communities to health providers. They have proven their ability to solve difficult patient compliance issues. They deliver culturally-appropriate care coordination. However, in Arizona they have yet to be given professional certification, a workforce infrastructure and a more formalized, reimbursed compensation.

Decades of CHW practice has provided insights into these workers’ potential. However, a more significant positive impact awaits. Once CHWs become more formally integrated into health care, they can truly be tapped for their unique strengths and abilities.

No single idea, method, or technique represents the answer to our health care system challenges. However, Community Health Workers are undoubtedly a cost-effective and community-connected complement to current health care professionals. Learn more. Download the Primer today.