Season 14 • Episode 1128

How Community Workers Are a Bridge to Immigrant Families

Episode Description

About this episode:

Families that have immigrated to the United States face financial, legal, and healthcare challenges. Health professionals often struggle to connect to their patients in office settings, especially today—but community health workers who can do home visits can bridge the gap. In this episode: Professor Kiara Álvarez discusses the indispensable role that community health workers play as navigators, connectors, and promotores in the healthcare system.

Guest:

Kiara Álvarez, PhD, EdM, is a Bloomberg associate professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a clinical psychologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Host:

Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department.

Show links and related content:

LaToya Ruby Frazier, More Than Conquerors: A Monument for Community Health Workers of Baltimore, Maryland 2021–2022—Baltimore Museum of Art
Mitigating The Health Impacts Of Exclusionary Immigration Policies: An Evidence Review—Health Affairs
How Community Health Workers Improve Research—Public Health On Call (April 2026)

Transcript information:

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