Traditional Health Workers

Traditional Health Workers (THWs) are an umbrella term for frontline public health workers who work in the community, clinic and/or hospital. They support individuals in a variety of ways to achieve better health. THWs walk alongside members connecting them with resources to address their unmet needs.  

There are five types of THWs available to you:

Birth Doulas. A birth companion who provides personal, nonmedical support to women and families throughout a woman’s pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum experience.

Personal Health Navigators (PHN). PHNs offer care coordination for members from within the health system.

Peer Support Specialists (PSS). Focus on recovery from addiction/mental health conditions.

Peer Wellness Specialists (PWS). Has lived experience with a psychiatric condition(s) and advocate for individuals in achieving well-being.

Community Health Workers (CHW).  Assist individuals in their community to achieve positive health outcomes. They are trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served.

Remember that there are some traditional health workers located in your physical, behavioral, and dental providers’ offices. You can find contact information for different types of THW’s on our Find A Provider page. 

You can get more information on our local THWs by calling our THW Liaison, Lily, at 503-455-8048.

Still wondering how a traditional health worker can be useful to you? Talk with your care team or PCP to help you decide.