What Is a Community Health Advocate and How to Become One

A community health advocate, or CHA, works to ensure that members of a particular community are treated fairly and adequately in all health care matters. As a CHA, your responsibilities can consist of anything from making sure a patient is receiving the proper service and care in a hospital, to championing public health initiatives and programs that benefit your community. Your day-to-day duties often involve collaborating with medical professionals or health insurance companies to solve any issues that might impede the patient's treatment, and providing assistance to community members to help them move on after an accident or illness. The community you represent can be based on several factors, including location, medical conditions, or age, among others. Community health advocates generally work for a government agency or an independent nonprofit, like the AARP.

The qualifications that you need to become a community health advocate include an understanding of healthcare standards and the community in which you work. Many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, or human services. Some employers prefer to hire advocates and health educators who are licensed healthcare professionals. For example, nurses often work in advocacy positions. As a community health advocate, your responsibilities include interacting with community members, so you need strong communication skills. In some areas, you may need to be bilingual to carry out your outreach and advocacy duties.