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@ShahidNShah
A boom and bust of community health workers
Community health workers, who have used their local connections to encourage Covid-19 care through the pandemic, saw a major increase in federal funding through the pandemic. But the money is starting to run out, and many community health workers trained through the pandemic face layoffs, your host reports.
The federal government has invested well over half a billion dollars into training and sustaining more community health workers, who work as brokers to connect underserved populations to care and help them navigate the health system.But without that funding’s continuation, some government officials and health experts say their work — which can go beyond Covid to make progress on other chronic diseases — will be cut short. Thousands have already been laid off, according to community health worker association leaders.
Medigy Insights
Community health workers (CHWs), who have been instrumental in promoting Covid-19 care and connecting underserved populations to healthcare services through their local connections, are now facing a critical challenge as federal funding, which exceeded half a billion dollars, is dwindling. The decline in financial support threatens the sustainability of CHW programs, resulting in layoffs and jeopardizing their ability to address not only the ongoing pandemic but also chronic diseases. This funding shortage has already led to the termination of thousands of CHW positions, hindering access to care and exacerbating health disparities. Government officials, health experts, and community health worker association leaders have emphasized the far-reaching implications of these layoffs, as CHWs play a vital role in bridging gaps in healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes. To ensure equitable healthcare and continued progress in addressing public health challenges, it is crucial for policymakers and funding agencies to recognize the value of CHWs and prioritize sustained funding to support their essential work.
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