This study aims to better understand and support the community health worker workforce in Iowa.
Team members:
- UIowa: Rima Afifi (lead), Laurie Walkner (lead), Keith Mueller, Dan Shane, Kristin Wilson
- PRC-RH Students: Amanda Sursely
- Partners: Deb Kazmerzak (lead), Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Midwestern Public Health Training Center
Project dates: 2021-current
Funding sources: Iowa Department of Public Health
Project tags: Community health workers
Description
Community Health Workers (CHW) are key frontline health professionals in public health systems and key contributors to decreasing inequities. With support from IDPH, and in partnerships with the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, the Midwestern Public Health Training Center, the Iowa Community Health Worker Alliance, and other colleagues, we are exploring the status of CHW in Iowa to advance the CHW workforce and enhance health equity. We developed a roster of employers and CHWs and conducted interviews and fielded a survey with CHWs and CHW employers in Iowa to better understand the CHW workforce and current challenges and issues that exist. Case scenarios have also been developed to show the various ways CHWs are, or can be, utilized in Iowa. We are currently undertaking a return-on-investment study for Iowa.