Understanding Available Data Sources to Estimate the Size and Distribution of Community Health Workers in the United States

This study used three national data sources to estimate the size and distribution of Community health workers (CHWS) in the United States. CHWs were identified in the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES; 2022), Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (2021), and American Community Survey (ACS; 2020). The rate of CHWs per 100,000 people was calculated and compared across states. Then, the study assessed if the rate of CHWS per the population varied in states with or without CHW certification or reimbursement in a series of one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Nationally, the rate of CHWs per 100,000 people in NPPES is 7.44, 18.37 in the BLS, and 35.44 in the ACS. No significant differences in the mean number of CHWs per 100,0000 people in states with or without certification and/or reimbursement was found. Further exploration of available data sources is needed to provide new insights and potential solutions to employ, fund, and sustain the CHW workforce.