Community health workers: Integral members for reaching communities of color

Community health workers bridge the gap between communities and health care and public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City’s public hospital system and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene created the Public Health Corps to harness the power of community health workers, also known as promotoras in Spanish-speaking communities. Community health workers are vital to a successful and equitable response during emergent disease outbreaks, as well as for chronic disease management.