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a cce s s H ea l t h N ews . n e t Fe b r u a ry 2 0 2 6 Volume 11 | Issue No. 104 8 T he proof is in the proverbial pudding. Community Health Workers (CHWs) manifest real results. A randomized control trial of a CHW engagement model found that CHWs providing personalized care for multi-chronic patients in living in neighborhoods with few health care resources, where individuals were uninsured or receiving public health insurance, resulted in fewer hospitalizations with shorter average length of stay, and an improvement in reported quality of care. For Hispanic and Black diabetes patients who experience poverty, CHW intervention resulted in 94% of participants a ending follow-up visits, greater satisfaction in understanding medication information, and reduced stress related to their illness. CHWs have been identified as key agents in mitigating the effects of incarceration, providing justice-involved individuals with social support, facilitating their success in their communities. And when you add local gains to health care access for the area's citizens who need it the most, the advantages of CHWs and the impact they make is hard to quantify. Yet, funding for CHWs is on the chopping block alongside other safety nets. Missouri Gov. Kehoe recently presented lawmakers with his $54.5 billion state operating budget for fiscal year 2027. It's more than $600 million lower than his budget proposal for the current fiscal year. Funding for CHWs is expected to be cut by $5 million. aH CHWs Evolve from Movement to Mainstay as Budget Cuts Threaten To Reduce Their Impact CHWs are the mediators between health practitioners and patients. Their invaluable role as advocates, educators, informal counselors, and supporters helps improve the patient's experience. Their contributions often go unnoticed, yet their impact is profound, particularly among hardworking individuals who still find gaining access to care challenging. CHWs are the unsung heroes who bridge access gaps by connecting patients with providers. In the health care landscape, community health workers (CHWs) stand as pivotal figures. They wield profound influence on health care access and outcomes, particularly within underserved communities. Due to geographical barriers, financial constraints or cultural beliefs, certain populations face significant hurdles in obtaining essential health care. A CHW serves as a bridge, connecting communities with much-needed resources and support. CHWs tend to have a deeper understanding of the community they serve because they are often members of the same community. "A community health worker consistently expands the range of available resources for the people we serve – does so in a culturally competent manner," said Sam Rodgers CEO Bob Theis. "They understand the importance of sharing reliable information and resources because sharing truly is caring. The Samuel U. Rodgers' team of CHWs takes pride in addressing needs, while also adding valuable options to our resource menu." By Tonia Wright, Publisher/Editor in Chief