The role of community health workers in increasing access to essential health and social services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: To describe the health care and social services needs addressed by community health workers (CHWs) through referrals in the Community Health Workers for COVID-19 Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) program. 

Methods: We performed a descriptive analysis of national performance measure data from 67 CCR recipients from 2021 to 2024 documenting referrals, alongside 2 web-based surveys of 63 program administrators and 689 CHWs in the United States in early 2024. 

Results: CHWs made 464 158 social and 323 769 health referrals, with 282 596 referrals completed. Referrals included services for food, housing, legal assistance, health insurance, lifestyle interventions, chronic disease management, COVID-19‒related care, and maternal and child health care. Referral success was aided by community resources, CHW knowledge, and networking, and limited by costs, mistrust, language barriers, transportation, and child care challenges. 

Conclusions: CHWs connect individuals to health care and provide follow-up care and social support. Comprehensive and coordinated health and social services are essential to optimize the referral and service delivery. Public Health Implications. Findings support policies promoting the integration, expansion, and sustainability of the CHW workforce. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(S4):S331-S340. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308642).