Awareness and use of a community health worker program among racial/ethnic minority adults in Philadelphia: Results from a cross‐sectional community health survey

Abstract Community health workers (CHW) programs are effective at reducing hospitalizations, improving mental health, and supporting health‐promoting behaviors. Research suggests awareness and use of CHW services remain uneven across communities nationally. This study describes awareness, use and satisfaction with a city‐wide CHW program among racial/ethnic minority individuals in Philadelphia. Data come from a web‐based health survey conducted February–March 2024. Participants reported sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, barriers to social resources, and awareness and use of the city's CHW program. Among 522 participants, the majority were Black (55.4%), women (70.1%), with mean age 39 years. Less than half (44.6%) were aware of the CHW program; of those, 30.5% (13.6% of whole sample) had used it. Among users, 80.3% reported being satisfied with services. In multivariate models, Asian, Hispanic/Latine, privately insured, unemployed, those without barriers to social resources, those with chronic conditions, and West Philadelphia residents had lower odds of awareness. Education, income, and anxiety symptoms were not associated with program awareness. Awareness and use of this CHW program is low to moderate among key populations in Philadelphia. Given variations in awareness, scale‐up of CHW programs should include evaluation of program reach, especially to individuals who are not employed and have chronic health conditions.