Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Promotores
Community Health Workers/Promotores (CHW/Ps) are peer leaders who are from the communities they serve. Drawing upon their lived experience; linguistic and cultural expertise; and deep community relationships.
History of Community Health Workers/Promotores
Throughout history and across geographies, individuals have emerged as natural leaders, organizing their communities to improve their health and well-being. The San Diego County Promotores Coalition recognizes these natural leaders as the earliest CHW/Ps.
“Promotores” de Salud (Spanish for Community Health Workers) have roots in community development initiatives and liberation movements spanning Latin America in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Promtor/as continue to play pivotal roles in health education, promotion, and of ten direct health care provision in communities across Latin America, filling gaps and expanding access to lifesaving information and resources.
By the 1980s, Community Health Workers were a formal part of numerous public health initiatives across California, initially focusing on expanding community outreach. More recently, social service organizations and health care systems have engaged CHW/Ps through formal, paid staff positions to support outreach, education, patient navigation, and case management efforts.
CHW/Ps play a critical role in strengthening the health and well-being of their communities by:
identifying and elevating community needs;
sharing information and resources;
informing culturally and linguistically relevant approaches to care;
building local power; and
leading policy, systems and environmental changes.
The work of CHW/Ps is stewarded by recognizing that individuals and communities are the experts regarding their well-being. As a result, CHW/Ps are drivers of social justice and health equity.
CHW/Ps Promotores work and volunteer with many titles, including:
Education and Training
Throughout history and across geographies, individuals have emerged as natural leaders, organizing their communities to improve their health and wellbeing. The San Diego County Promotores Coalition recognizes these natural leaders as the earliest CHW/Ps.
“Promotores” de Salud (Spanish for Community Health Workers) have roots in community development initiatives and liberation movements spanning Latin America in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Promtor/as continue to play pivotal roles in health education, promotion and of ten direct health care provision in communities across Latin America, filling gaps and expanding access to lifesaving information and resources.
