[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 771 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 771

Supporting the designation of the week of August 26 through August 30, 
2024, as the second annual ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
                                Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 25, 2024

 Mr. Casey (for himself, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. 
 Gillibrand, and Mr. Brown) submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Supporting the designation of the week of August 26 through August 30, 
2024, as the second annual ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
                                Week''.

Whereas a community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a 
        trusted member, or has an unusually close understanding, of the 
        community served;
Whereas this trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison, 
        link, or intermediary between health and social services and the 
        community, facilitate access to services, improve the quality and 
        cultural competence of service delivery, build individual and community 
        capacity, and increase health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a 
        range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal 
        counseling, social support, and advocacy;
Whereas community health workers are a unique workforce, recognized in 25 States 
        with a professional certification;
Whereas community health workers are a community-based workforce that builds 
        relationships and capacity for health and well-being in underserved 
        areas;
Whereas community health workers are a historic and diverse workforce that goes 
        back hundreds of years in the United States and reflects the diversity 
        of the Nation;
Whereas community health workers have been known by many different titles, 
        including community health representatives, promotores de salud, 
        aunties, and outreach workers;
Whereas community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects 
        community members to health care and other social services, reducing 
        barriers to health and well-being;
Whereas community health workers are a proven workforce with decades of research 
        documenting effectiveness in maternal and child health, chronic disease 
        interventions, immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many 
        other disciplines, and have a documented return on investment for many 
        programs;
Whereas sustainable funding of community health workers supports fair market 
        wages and enhanced recruitment and retention of the workforce;
Whereas community health workers fulfill a wide range of roles, including--

    (1) providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and 
health and social service systems;

    (2) offering culturally appropriate health education and information;

    (3) offering care coordination, case management, and system navigation;

    (4) providing coaching and social support;

    (5) advocating for individuals and communities;

    (6) building individual and community capacity;

    (7) providing direct service, including basic screening tests, such as 
weight and blood pressure screening, basic services, such as diabetic foot 
checks, and meeting basic needs;

    (8) implementing individual and community assessments;

    (9) conducting outreach; and

    (10) participating in evaluation and research; and

Whereas community health worker networks are statewide, regional, or local 
        community-based organizations, including community health worker 
        associations and coalitions with leadership or membership that is 
        comprised of 50 percent or more of community health workers, promotores, 
        or community health representatives, and whose mission and activities 
        focus on workforce development, mentoring, member mobilization, and 
        advocacy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of the second annual 
        National Community Health Worker Awareness Week;
            (2) recognizes the significant contributions of community 
        health workers to health and social care systems and 
        communities across the United States;
            (3) encourages collaboration at the local, State, and 
        Federal levels to raise awareness of the important role of 
        community health workers; and
            (4) supports the work of community health workers to reduce 
        health disparities by improving health in underserved 
        communities.
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