In 2014 the CDC and the State of Minnesota made a significant investment in Community Health Worker (CHW) strategies in local public health to reduce and prevent prediabetes and hypertension in four areas of Minnesota. This report documents the details and results of that investment. Known as the Community Wellness Grant (CWG), this project allowed local public health to invest in personnel, supervision, and build infrastructure to support CHWs. The results are impressive and show the potential and impact of CHWs far beyond diabetes and hypertension. The lessons learned and recommendations will help local public health departments long after the end of the grant. Most importantly, the report documents the critical roles of CHWs as an important component of local public health departments and their work to improve the health of all, including the importance of addressing the social determinants of health (SDH).
