The Indian Health Service Community Health Representative (CHR) Program supports a nationwide workforce of CHRs serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. These frontline public health workers provide guidance and improve access to health care, ensuring culturally appropriate support for those in need.
Although local CHR programs are active across the country, many people are unaware of the full extent of services this workforce provides. To raise awareness about the role of CHRs, a video series was developed to highlight their stories, experiences, and insights. These videos explore the individual and collective impact of CHRs on patient care and health outcomes, as well as how they serve as a vital link between public health and clinical health care settings.
To create these videos, we visited community health programs nationwide and spoke with numerous CHRs. Although the locations were spread far and wide, we heard a common theme—many people are unclear about the role of CHRs, particularly within local medical and clinical communities. Since these clinicians are critical in helping CHRs connect patients to quality care, we knew that reaching the health provider audience was crucial—and this audience and their needs shaped the focus of our videos. Several key areas were selected to showcase the unique aspects of the CHR Program. Filming occurred in communities across Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arizona, and California. Each location shared its story of CHRs, highlighting how they empower communities, serve as cultural liaisons, collaborate with other health programs and providers, and improve patient health outcomes.
CHR narratives, background footage, and photographs helped capture the most authentic portrayal of our workforce.
The result is a four-part video series that provides a comprehensive look at CHRs, their functions, and the important role they play in health care. You can watch the full series using the links below or on our website. Enjoy!
Empowering Communities Through Health and Wellness
The video begins with an overview of the national CHR Program. CHRs across the country provide their unique perspectives on the roles they fill in their communities and the activities they implement through their local programs.
Community Health Representatives as Cultural Liaisons: “We Talk It, We Live It, We Speak It”
CHRs often provide a cultural connection between communities and patients. CHRs and program partners discuss the importance of CHRs’ connection to local communities, cultures, and languages, and how it makes a positive difference in patient health care.
CHRs regularly work with other health professionals, including primary care, pharmacy, and health education programs. Building these partnerships is important to provide the best care support for patients and their families. This video explores these partnerships and what makes them so effective.
Healing Together: Patients and Community Health Representatives in Partnership
Nobody explains the impact of CHRs better than the patients and families they serve. In this video, patients describe how much CHRs mean to them and detail the wide variety of ways CHRs improve their lives, from assistance with daily living to help navigating severe health conditions.
After watching these videos, I hope you gain a deeper understanding of the key role CHRs play in the field. CHRs provide essential services and adapt them to meet local needs, strengthening the overall health care system. By working together, CHRs and medical providers can ensure patients receive the best possible care.
