Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a critical role in advancing health equity by bridging healthcare and social service systems and the communities they serve. NYU Langone Health’s Community Health Worker Research & Resource Center (CHW-RRC) was established in 2018 to recognize and strengthen the CHW workforce. Housed in the Department of Population Health and supported by NYU Langone’s Community Service Plan, the CHW-RRC develops and hosts professional development activities, training, and convenings; conducts research alongside CHWs about the CHW workforce; and engages in advocacy aimed at uplifting and sustaining the CHW profession. Through these activities, we highlight the unique and essential role CHWs play in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequities.

Priority Areas

The CHW-RRC has five priority action areas:

• Providing opportunities for professional development and peer support for CHWs, patient navigators, and people in similar roles across the NYU Langone system
• Maintaining the CHW Resource Hub, a living library of templates, tools, and resources for organizations and researchers
• Convening the annual CHW Innovations Summit to share best practices, build partnerships, explore sustainability models, and advocate for CHW policies
• Conducting CHW- and community-engaged research to build visibility for the CHW workforce and inform strategies for integration and sustainability
• Advancing CHW workforce development through policy engagement and institutional support.

Where CHWs Work Across NYU Langone

CHW initiatives across NYU Langone Health have been embedded in diverse settings, including community-and faith-based organizations, primary care practices, hospitals, senior centers, barbershops and salons, and low-income housing. These initiatives are developed in partnership with local organizations and residents to ensure cultural relevance and meet community needs. Programs address a wide range of medical and socioeconomic issues, and rely on strong community partnerships to advance health equity through effective CHW engagement.

The CHW-RRC supports these efforts by fostering connection through the CHW Program Network and the CHW Resource Hub, and by ensuring CHWs’ perspectives guide our Center’s work through the CHW Steering Committee. Our work is further shaped by the expertise of our team and advisory group.

Contact Us

For inquiries about the Community Health Worker Research and Resource Center, please email CHWRRC@NYULangone.org.