H.Res. 1187

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1187 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1187

Supporting the designation of the week of August 24 through August 28, 
2026, as the fourth annual ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
Week''.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 16, 2026

Mr. Ruiz submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Supporting the designation of the week of August 24 through August 28, 
2026, as the fourth annual ``National Community Health Worker Awareness 
Week''.

Whereas a community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a 
trusted member, or has an unusually close understanding, of the 
community served;
Whereas this trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison, 
link, or intermediary between health and social services and the 
community, facilitate access to services, improve the quality and 
cultural competence of service delivery, build individual and community 
capacity, and increase health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a 
range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal 
counseling, social support, and advocacy;
Whereas community health workers are a unique workforce, recognized in 27 States 
with a professional certification;
Whereas community health workers are a community-based workforce that builds 
relationships and capacity for health and well-being in underserved 
areas;
Whereas community health workers are a historic and diverse workforce that goes 
back hundreds of years in the United States and reflects the diversity 
of the Nation;
Whereas community health workers are known by more than 250 valued and respected 
titles, including community health representatives, promotores de salud, 
aunties, and outreach workers;
Whereas community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects 
community members to health care and other social services, reducing 
barriers to health and well-being;
Whereas community health workers are a proven workforce with decades of research 
documenting effectiveness in maternal and child health, chronic disease 
interventions, immunization, oral health, HIV, primary care, and many 
other disciplines, and have a documented return on investment for many 
programs;
Whereas sustainable funding of community health workers supports fair market 
wages and enhanced recruitment and retention of the workforce;
Whereas community health workers fulfill a wide range of roles, including--

(1) providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities, and 
health and social service systems;

(2) offering culturally appropriate health education and information;

(3) offering care coordination, case management, and system navigation;

(4) providing coaching and social support;

(5) advocating for individuals and communities;

(6) building individual and community capacity;

(7) providing direct services, including screening tests (such as 
weight and blood pressure screening), providing basic services (such as 
diabetic foot checks), and meeting basic needs;

(8) implementing individual and community assessments;

(9) conducting outreach; and

(10) participating in evaluation and research; and

Whereas community health worker networks are statewide, regional, or local 
community-based organizations, including community health worker 
associations and coalitions with leadership or membership that is 
comprised of 50 percent or more of community health workers, promotores, 
or community health representatives, and whose mission and activities 
focus on workforce development, mentoring, member mobilization, and 
advocacy: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of the fourth annual 
National Community Health Worker Awareness Week;
(2) recognizes the significant contributions of community 
health workers to health and social care systems and 
communities across the United States;
(3) encourages collaboration at the local, State, and 
Federal levels to raise awareness of the important role of 
community health workers; and
(4) supports the work of community health workers to 
improve the health of communities across the United States.
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