Community Health Workers Can Play a Key Role in Keeping Families Healthy

A report calls for the integration of community health workers into early childhood well-child care.

May 8, 2025

The well-child visit is standard pediatric practice for the first three years of life. Every few months, parents or caregivers bring their little ones to the doctor to make sure they are growing and thriving. Because, for many families, these are the only encounters with a trained professional during this critical period, the value of well-child visits goes beyond the medical, connecting families to a wide range of supports for healthy development. 

But time is tight. Compelled to get through all of the day’s appointments, doctors and nurse practitioners have about 20 minutes to check the physical side of things, but in the rush, questions often go unasked and unanswered.

That’s where community health workers (CHWs) come in. The job varies, and so does the title, but broadly, a CHW is a trusted connector and advocate who supports well-being in their community. Some work for a health care system or clinic, while others work for a school or nonprofit organization. The tools of their trade are cultural competency, a willingness to listen and a knack for building strong relationships.

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