Voices, Images, And Experiences Of Community Health Workers: Advancing Antiracist Policy And Practice

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Community health workers (CHWs) are vital public health personnel with deep community understanding.
• CHWs from marginalized communities possess unique expertise but face increased risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how CHWs' lived experiences in Baltimore City intersect with their professional roles.
• To understand how CHWs navigate and utilize experiences with social risk factors and structural racism in intervention delivery.

Main Methods:

• Photovoice methodology was employed.
• Sixteen predominantly racial and ethnic minoritized CHWs participated in the study.

Main Results:

• CHWs leveraged experiences with structural racism to inform interventions for vulnerable populations.
• CHWs encountered occupational hazards directly linked to their identities.

Conclusions:

• Findings emphasize the critical need to integrate antiracist principles into policies affecting the CHW workforce.
• Addressing occupational hazards and supporting CHWs requires systemic change.