The Role of Community Health Workers in Reducing Health Disparities – An Editorial by Dr. Jacqueline Betancourt, Senior Community Health Worker, Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in reducing health disparities and advancing health equity in underserved communities. As trusted members of the neighborhoods they serve, CHWs bridge the gap between individuals, families, and complex health and social service systems.

Health disparities are often driven by social determinants such as language barriers, limited access to care, low health literacy, and long-standing systemic inequities. Community Health Workers help address these challenges by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate education, care coordination, and advocacy. Their work ensures that community members not only understand available resources, but also feel supported and empowered to access them.

At the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC), Community Health Workers serve as frontline connectors, linking families to a wide range of essential programs and services. These include diabetes prevention and management, mental health first aid training, food pantry and clothing services, academic support, technology training, access to social workers, workforce development training opportunities, Job Search Connector resources, and reliable internet and computer services. Through outreach, education, and one-on-one engagement, CHWs build trust, strengthen relationships, and promote improved health outcomes while fostering community stability and resilience.

Research consistently demonstrates that Community Health Workers reduce unnecessary emergency room utilization, increase engagement in preventive care, and improve chronic disease management. Beyond these measurable outcomes, CHWs elevate community voices and help organizations respond more effectively to the unique needs of the populations they serve.

Reducing health disparities requires more than clinical care alone. It requires sustained investment in community-based solutions rooted in trust, cultural understanding, and lived experience. Community Health Workers remain a proven and powerful strategy for building healthier, more equitable communities.

For more information about BLEC’s programs, services, and resources, contact Dr. Jacqueline Betancourt at 803-744-7944 or via email at [email protected]