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1950's-1960's
Chinese barefoot doctor program. These barefoot doctors acted as health-care providers in their communities but were seen as peers because of their continued involvement in farming which lead to them not being taken seriously. -
1970
Community Health Workers became a rallying voice. A CHW-led section was created called the New Professionals Special Primary Interest Group. -
1980
With a grant from a variety of groups helped in the design of the original Migrant Health Services Directory and the Camp Health Aide Program. -
1998
The National Community Health Advisor Study helped identify roles, competencies, and qualities of CH Workers. -
2007
The Health Resources and Services Administration provided a national report on the Community Health Worker workforce. -
2010
The Bureau of Labor Statistics assigned a code Community Health Workers. As the interest in CHW programs grew, the demand to have more information grew. -
2010
As health care in the U.S. enters an era of change CHW's have been identified as an important component in the workforce. This act also acknowledged CHW's as health industry professionals which opened a variety of new employment paths. -
2013
The CMS created a new rule which allows state Medicaid agencies to refund preventive services provided by professionals that may fall outside of a state’s clinical system, as long as the services have been recommended by a physician or other practitioner. -
2014
The Bureau of Labor Statistics can now determine job growth rate for the profession. From 2014 to 2016, CHW jobs are predicted to grow by 18% -
2016
With the growth in the CHW profession came changes to requirements to become one. Some individuals have expressed concerns as these requirements may “devalue the skills and attributes that make CHWs unique”.