the current health care reform environment presents a valuable opportunity to acknowledge and capitalize on the contributions of community health workers. the following recommendations are intended to overcome barriers, build on program strengths, better integrate community health workers into the health care delivery system, and empirically document the contributions of they make.
In presenting these recommendations, we wish to warn policymakers about the potential risks inherent in building a formal infrastructure for community health worker programs. Although such support can offer financial and other securities, it can also threaten what makes community health workers nuique and effective. The strength of the programs appears to be their flexibility to provide innovative solutions and adapt to changing community health needs and circumstances. Imposing rigid structures and restrictions may inhibit innovation and flexibility, there by minimizing the effectiveness of programs.