The COVID-19 pandemic and its secondary impacts have engulfed the globe in a historic crisis — but they also present an opportunity to help the world build back better, and more equitably. The U.S. Congress is on course to provide $4.65 billion for global health as a part of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. This presents a critical opportunity to direct urgently needed U.S. assistance to where it is needed most by tapping the skills of community health workers (CHWs). Unless the United States recognizes the essential role played by CHWs, and provides the necessary funding to support them, we will not be able to improve equitable access to essential health services and interrupt the global spread of the virus…more