Commentary: Examining the role of community health workers in extreme weather preparedness

A new commentary published in Health Affairs Forefront examines how community health workers can help strengthen preparedness for climate-driven extreme weather events. In the article, a University of Michigan research team, including Paul Chandanabhumma, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of family medicine, Sue Anne Bell, Ph.D., FNP-BC, FAAN, associate professor of nursing, and Susan L. Murphy, Sc.D., professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, describe how community health workers—because of their trusted relationships and close ties to local communities—are well positioned to help identify vulnerable residents, share culturally appropriate preparedness information, and connect people to health and social resources before, during, and after extreme weather events.

The authors note that extreme weather events such as heat waves, flooding, and severe storms are becoming more frequent and disproportionately affect low-income and historically marginalized communities. Integrating community health workers into emergency preparedness and public health planning, they suggest, could help health systems better reach vulnerable populations and improve community resilience.

The commentary recommends expanded training, funding, and stronger partnerships between health systems, public health agencies, and community organizations to support this role.

The authors' ongoing work on this issue is funded in part by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, with generous support from Lewis G. Sandy, M.D., and Susan Hassmiller, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, through a joint catalyst grant with the U-M Graham Sustainability Institute. 

READ THE ARTICLE