PRESS RELEASE: June 6th declared Community Health Worker Day in Cincinnati
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mayor Aftab Pureval has declared June 6th Community Health Worker (CHW) Day in Cincinnati. All are welcome to celebrate. CHWs make a profound difference in vulnerable communities, working toward health equity and to increase good health outcomes.
- Festivities will begin at noon on June 6th on Fountain Square. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus will read the county proclamation. A Zoom address by Angela Dawson, Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health, will precede the festivities, broadcast to all Pathways Community HUBs (HUBs) in Ohio. The event is made possible by gold sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas and Molina Healthcare and supporter bi3.
- CHWs improve health and wellness for low-income, underrepresented, and minority communities by delivering education and sharing resources about disease prevention, treatment, and management. These actions remove obstacles to community members’ health and wellness.
- HUBs across the state will be celebrating Community Health Worker Day on June 6th, as well, with recognition lunches, reading of proclamations, and self-care activities for CHWs.
Health Care Access Now trains and coordinates CHWs, as well as acting as director of the regional HUB. The HUB is an evidence-based system that serves as a framework for CHWs to identify and remove clients’ barriers to health and wellness.
Health Care Access Now (HCAN) invites the citizens of Cincinnati to celebrate Community Health Workers (CHWs). Mayor Aftab Pureval has declared June 6th Community Health Worker Day.
Festivities will begin at noon on Fountain Square. Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus will read the county proclamation live. A Zoom address by Angela Dawson, Executive Director, Ohio Commission on Minority Health, will precede the festivities, broadcast to all Pathways Community HUBs (HUB) in Ohio. The event is made possible by gold sponsors AmeriHealth Caritas and Molina Healthcare and supporter bi3.
“We are so pleased that CHWs are being celebrated in the City of Cincinnati,” says Sarah Mills, CEO of HCAN. “They work incredibly hard, and the work they do truly makes a profound difference in the community.”
CHWs go into vulnerable communities to work one-on-one with clients, with the aim of removing obstacles to health and wellness. Low-income, underrepresented, and minority communities benefit from CHWs’ assistance. The HUB—for which HCAN serves as regional director—acts as a structure for CHWs to identify potential barriers to good health outcomes. For example, many clients have difficulty accessing reliable transportation or nutritious food. CHWs provide connections to help clients overcome those issues.
HUBs across the state are also celebrating Community Health Worker Day by honoring and recognizing their CHWs. With lunches, planned activities, raffles, self-care events, and more, each HUB has designed a celebration best suited for its location.
“CHWs tend to come from the communities they serve. They build trust and rapport with clients and meet them where they are. When a client works with a CHW, it can completely change their quality of life, as well as improve their health,” says Mills.
CHWs conduct outreach and health education, provide support for clients and patients, and advocate for reducing disparities in health care. Their tireless efforts to improve health outcomes for vulnerable communities should be commended. HCAN is very excited to celebrate CHW Day on June 6th. All are welcome to attend.
