April 2025

National Community Health Representative (CHR) Program Shares Stories of Empowerment, Culture, and Partnership Through Videos​​​​

The Indian Health Service (IHS) CHR Program supports a nationwide frontline public health workforce serving American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This workforce provides many roles and services, and its impact reaches across areas such as improving access to health care, navigating community and clinical linkages, community outreach, and ensuring culturally appropriate support for those in need.

To raise awareness about the role of Community Health Representatives, the IHS CHR Program created a video series highlighting their diverse stories, experiences, and insights. These videos examine the specific and collective impact of CHRs on patient care and health outcomes and how CHRs bridge the public health and healthcare spaces.

CHR narratives, background footage, and photographs helped capture the most accurate portrayal of the workforce. Below are summaries and links to the four videos the National CHR program created. 

• Empowering Communities Through Health and Wellness: CHRs nationwide share their unique perspectives on their roles 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 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. 

• Community Health Representatives: Public Health and Health Care Partnerships Improving Health Outcomes: This video explores how CHRs regularly work with other health professionals, including primary care, pharmacy, and health education programs. 

• Healing Together: Patients and Community Health Representatives in Partnership: Patients describe how much CHRs mean to them and detail how CHRs improve their lives, from assistance with daily living to helping navigate severe health conditions.

“After watching these videos, I hope you gain a deeper understanding of the key role CHRs play in the field,” said Michelle Archuleta, IHS CHR Consultant and Program Lead. “By working together, CHRs and medical providers can ensure patients receive the best possible care as this workforce is a valuable extension of the health care team—a true partner at the patient level.”

Please share these videos widely, visit our website for more information on the CHR Program, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, including how to incorporate CHRs in your area or ways to support the programs.  

Pictured above in the article: Oklahoma was one of the locations visited to take photos, film, and interview Community Health Representatives (CHRs) and others on the benefits of the workforce within the public health space.​​​​​

National Public Health Week Celebrated in April 

Community health starts with trusted voices. Community Health Representatives (CHRs) ensure American Indian and Alaska Native people can find care, navigate health systems, and receive culturally centered support—no matter where they live.

CHRs break down barriers and advocate for the needs of their communities—that’s public health in action. Their work makes care more accessible and strengthens health equity for future generations.

Visit the IHS CHR website for more information on the CHR workforce!
 

Indian Country Community Health Representative (CHR) ECHO 

This year's topics include a three-part series on health conditions and approaches, specialty roles within healthcare, and CHR integration.

The ECHO series is typically hosted on the third Monday of every month at noon PT via Zoom, except for those that fall on federal holidays. 

To join a meeting, click the Zoom link provided at the scheduled meeting time. The password for the meeting is ECHO.