Injustice has a cure
Partners In Health United States
PIH-US was launched in 2020 as the U.S. Public Health Accompaniment Unit, bringing Partners In Health’s global epidemic response expertise to communities across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working alongside health departments, community organizations, and philanthropists, PIH-US helped build more equitable, community-centered responses to the pandemic. The pandemic exposed deep inequities in the U.S. health system, where access to high-quality care and health outcomes still vary widely by zip code, income, race, and ethnicity.
PIH-US partnerships quickly evolved beyond emergency response to support long-term recovery and reimagine health and social care systems in Alabama, Arizona, Southwest Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. In October 2021, PIH-US became an official Partners In Health site, advancing a broader mission: to accompany communities across the U.S. toward health equity and more just systems of care.
Our Impact
Together, we strengthened public health infrastructure, expanded the community health workforce, and elevated community leadership in systems and policy design.
5,000+
Hired and trained community health workers
6 Million
Individuals connected to vaccine outreach, education, and services
80+
Partnerships cultivated with health and community organizations
$120 Million
Leveraged to expand investment in local public health priorities
100
Collaborative spaces designed for health equity trainings and task forces
14
Policies influenced that were introduced, passed, or enacted by congress
Our Approach
PIH-US deployed two mutually reinforcing levers for impact: place-based programming and advising, and advocacy. Through our place-based work, we partnered shoulder-to-shoulder with health departments and community organizations to co-design and deliver strategies that advance health equity locally. This meant walking alongside partners through strategic and operational planning, program design, resource mobilization, and collaborative learning—showing up not just as advisors, but as committed, long-term allies.
At the same time, our advocacy and movement-building work elevated local experience, leadership, and evidence to drive lasting policy and systems change at the federal, state, and local level. From engaging legislators and policymakers to building coalitions and shaping public narratives, we worked to ensure that the lessons learned on the ground informed the decisions made in the halls of power. PIH-US advanced three strategic priorities to strengthen community health systems.
Building Strong, Community-Centered Public Health Infrastructure
Partnering for Policy, Data, and Community
We partnered with state and local health departments to strengthen policy and planning capacity, support innovative programming, enhance community engagement, and build data systems to guide decision-making.
Newark, New Jersey: In partnership with the Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness, PIH-US supported a community health needs assessment, helped secure $3.8 million in funding to strengthen internal data infrastructure, and developed dashboards tracking more than 50 health and social indicators to guide equitable deployment of resources.
Sustaining and Strengthening the Community Health Workforce
Strengthening the Backbone of Community Health
Community health workers are essential to advancing equity. PIH-US worked alongside CHWs and allies to strengthen workforce sustainability, advance certification and financing pathways, and elevate CHW leadership in state and federal policymaking. Across states, we supported the growth of CHW associations, strengthened advocacy capacity, and helped integrate CHWs more fully into public health systems.
National Association of Community Health Workers: In partnership with the National Association of Community Health Workers, PIH-US co-hosted Congressional briefings and Capitol Hill visits, supported federal policy development, and helped convene a National CHW Policy Working Group to advocate for sustainable investment in the workforce.
Building Power and Capacity with Communities
Resourcing and Elevating Community-Based Organizations
Community-based organizations play a vital role in advancing health equity but often face systemic underinvestment. PIH-US accompanied community-based partners to expand access to funding, strengthen organizational infrastructure, and increase visibility and influence within the broader health ecosystem.
Tucson, Arizona: In partnership with the Tucson Indian Center, PIH-US supported the development of a Native-led data ecosystem, strengthened advisory structures, and advised on the design of a Community Health Outreach Program integrating Community Health Representatives into primary care and social support services.
Our Work in Action
Strengthening Community-Led Health Systems Across the United States
This video highlights PIH-US's work alongside public health and community organizations in seven locations across the United States to build stronger, more equitable health systems — from expanding the community health workforce to supporting community-led solutions that drive lasting change.
A Note on Transition
PIH-US concluded its public health advising work in the spring 2026. It’s legacy will live on through the community health workers, public health departments, and community-based organizations across the country continue carrying this work forward. We offer the following resources to support ongoing partnerships, infrastructure, and progress.
PIH-US Community Health Worker Report
A 2026 PIH-US report mapping state-level CHW certification, financing, and scope-of-practice policies across the U.S.
PIH-US Community Health Worker Policy Guide
A state-by-state guide to CHW certification, financing, and scope-of-practice policies - a critical resource for advocates and policymakers.
HRSA COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Impact Report
How PIH-US partnered with 58 community-based organizations to drive equitable COVID-19 vaccination across 14 U.S. communities.
Collaborative Infrastructure Framework
A PIH-US & Deloitte framework for building cross-sector partnerships to advance health equity in communities.
Care Resource Coordination White Paper
A PIH-US white paper on designing equitable COVID-19 contact tracing programs that connect cases to social supports.
PIH-US Closeout Report
A culminating look at PIH-US's work advancing health equity across the U.S. — and the communities and partners who made it possible.
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