Employer Sponsored Community Health Workers: A Novel Model for Improving Health and Wellbeing Among Low-Income and Minority Populations, 2022

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is Oregon’s only public academic health center. The system consists of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and southwest Washington and includes institutes of higher learning, with schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health – and with a network of campuses and partners throughout Oregon.  OHSU is also a national research hub, with thousands of scientists developing life saving therapies and deeper understanding. The university health system is also a statewide economic engine and Portland’s largest employer.  And as a public organization, they provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians, and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

With funding from CHAP, OHSU will design and test a workplace intervention integrating CHWs into the workplace for OHSU employees.  The purpose of intervention is to improve employee health and wellbeing. OHSU will conduct stakeholder meetings with employees, CHWs and HR champions to define the scope, reach, content, and evaluation of the intervention.