Will AI replace Community Health Workers?

AI can do 47% of the work Community Health Workers do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 12 of them. Robots can technically handle 5 physical tasks. 11 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next12 · 47% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.12% of time
  • Refer community members to needed health services.6% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.4% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.4% of time
  • Assist families to apply for social services, including Medicaid or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).4% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.3% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poisoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.3% of time
  • Teach classes or otherwise disseminate medical or dental health information to school groups, community groups, or targeted families or individuals, in a manner consistent with cultural norms.3% of time
  • Collect information from individuals to compile vital statistics about the general health of community members.3% of time
  • Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.3% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups to ensure parental understanding of the importance of childhood immunizations and how to access immunization services.1% of time
  • Provide feedback to health service providers regarding improving service accessibility or acceptability.1% of time

Robots can technically do this5 · 11% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
  • Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
  • Provide basic health services, such as first aid.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person11 · 42% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs.8% of time
  • Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.8% of time
  • Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers.4% of time
  • Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.4% of time
  • Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.4% of time
  • Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.4% of time
  • Interpret, translate, or provide cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members.4% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to sanitation or hygiene, such as flossing or hand washing.1% of time
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to social or intellectual development, such as education, childcare, or problem solving.1% of time
  • Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.1% of time
  • Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.under 1% of time

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 0 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 12 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 5 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 11 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Health Education Specialists74%Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists52%Social and Human Service Assistants50%Child, Family, and School Social Workers47%Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers46%Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors55%

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