Study: Community health workers were vital to COVID-19 response

Community health workers played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic in Orange County, Calif., according to a study published in the June 2025 Social Science & Medicine ─ Qualitative Research in Health. The deep trust and relational ties community health workers had within their communities were central to their success, the study found. Community health workers were able to reach racial/ethnic minorities and those who spoke languages other than English. The study also found current funding and reimbursement mechanisms are inadequate to sustain their work. The authors call for health care administrators and public health agencies to incorporate community health workers into the health care system. (Newswise release, 1/10/25)