The Community Health Worker (CHW) program at Spokane Regional Health District trains and supports a variety of CHWs throughout eastern Washington in order to further the reach of efforts that improve the health of communities.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention April 2015
35%Asthma control reduced by 35% among adolescents working with CHWs, resulting in a savings of $5.58 per dollar spent on the intervention.
Spokane Regional Health District launched an ambitious campaign – My Healthy Life – to help improve nutrition and physical activity rates among Spokane’s under served populations. The campaign focuses county-wide on adults who are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Basic Food) benefits and increasing their fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity rates.
“Community health workers are a vital resource… ”
“Community health workers provide many essential and specialized services and the CHW model can save money in a health care system that is seeing significant increases in costs.
I think they also offer something also benefits the bottom line - healthier behaviors as a result of the human connection.
As CHWs are members of their community, they share their neighbors’ values and culture. This inclusion, along with their desire to serve their neighbors, typically fosters relationships and trust, and feelings of well-being and self-regard in those they see.
These positive feelings can cause people to take better care of themselves. And here I think we have something to learn.”
~ CHW Program Manager
For information on becoming a community health worker, locating a worker or networking with one.
Helping improve nutrition and physical activity rates among Spokane adults who are eligible for SNAP (Basic Food) benefits.