Community Health Workers: The Heart of the Mission
Meet the community health workers embedding themselves in South and West Side neighborhoods to connect residents with life-saving blood pressure screenings and follow-up care.
Before the first mobile screening van hits the street, community health workers (CHWs) are already building trust block by block. These trained professionals—many of whom live in the neighborhoods they serve—are the connective tissue of Live Healthy Chicago.
CHWs help residents navigate the healthcare system, schedule follow-up appointments, and understand what their blood pressure numbers actually mean. They work in barbershops, laundromats, faith communities, and public housing.
“I grew up in Englewood. I know what it’s like when nobody comes to help,” says Maria Torres, one of the program’s first CHWs. “Now I get to be the person who shows up.”
Research shows that CHW-led interventions can improve blood pressure control rates by 12–15% in underserved populations. Live Healthy Chicago plans to embed hundreds of CHWs across its 27 priority neighborhoods over the next two years.
The program provides CHWs with ongoing training, clinical support, and technology tools including mobile blood pressure monitors and a real-time patient referral platform.