The primary aim of community health workers is to help people in their community understand health behaviors, recognize health options, think for themselves, and make decisions that will improve their health.
Community health workers assist community members to gain awareness of health outcomes that result from individual choices. Community health workers also are often active leaders in their communities who serve as advocates for community members.
They are fluent in and sensitive to the language and culture of the audience that health care programs want to reach with positive health messages.
They develop partnerships and serve as a bridge between providers of health care services and community members.