National Health Center Week

The National Association of Community Health Centers sponsors National Health Center Week each August to raise awareness of America’s 1,400 community health centers. The observation celebrates the dedicated staff and health care personnel who deliver quality care to more than 31.5 million patients across nearly 15,000 communities yearly. It also highlights the issues that need solutions for vulnerable populations in rural areas. This year’s National Health Center Week theme focuses on empowering communities by connecting them with health centers and elected officials from all levels of government. 

Background

A health center is a broad term applied to federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics (RHCs), or other clinics, often referred to as a “FQHC-look alike.” Typically, community health centers are more frequently FQHCs or RHCs. All of these provide primary health care to more vulnerable populations. FQHCs are also known as program awardees, or “a Health Center Program Award recipient is a health center that receives grant funding from the HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care under the Health Center Program, as authorized by Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act.” 

Fragile Populations and Barriers to Access

According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), those needing care and using the services of health centers are some of the most vulnerable and at-risk groups. Many are under or uninsured, many have Medicaid, and a significant proportion live below federal poverty guidelines. Refer to the infographic for statistics on these populations. In 2023, HRSA-funded health centers provided primary health care to more than 31 million people in the U.S. Health centers treat all patients regardless of ability to pay and are monitored by HRSA for quality. In addition to health centers accepting health insurance, they also are required to clearly post a sliding fee schedule in their reception area. This fee schedules provides transparency to people who do not have insurance so that they understand how much their visit may cost based on their income. 

“Health centers function as a vital part of their community, and the services they offer include life-saving health screenings, primary care, obstetrics, behavioral health care, dental services, and other community specific services,” says Julia Kotchevar, director of health and community-based services, Atlanta, remote in Carson City).  

For example, a health center in California has a program that prepares agricultural workers for health safety measures during wildfire season, while a center in Louisiana runs a heat campaign to direct people to community cooling stations. In rural parts of Nebraska, where agricultural and meat-packing workers may temporarily relocate to communities for work, the health center provides health screenings and access to personal hygiene kits.

Those living in rural areas faces barriers to access not experienced by those in more urban and populous regions. According to a study by ScienceDirect, “Exposing some important barriers to health care access in the rural USA,” those in rural areas face barriers and significant access to health care versus their urban counterparts. They may be hesitant to seek health care for many reasons, including: too few physicians, lack of services, including internet services, and inadequate transportation. These barriers translate directly into worse outcomes for rural residents. While rural areas have trouble attracting and keeping skilled physicians, rural residents demonstrate poorer health.  

The study further states that rural and urban populations experience very real health care disparities – defined as: 

“…differences in health care coverage, access, and quality of care. Although health and health care disparities are related, it is necessary to distinguish between the two as the potential sources and solutions are distinct.” 

The study concludes that FQHCs, RHCs, and health centers in general require an ongoing program to reform service delivery, promote recruitment, develop health care professionals in their careers, expand health insurance, and engage with both rural residents and health care providers.