What is a Community Health Center?

National Health Center Week offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of community health centers in Alaska. But some might wonder: what is a community health center and why do they matter?

To help answer that, we created a short video that explains this:

Community health centers, also known as federally qualified health centers or CHCs, are more than just clinics. Across Alaska, 29 community health centers operate with over 200 sites, providing primary care that reaches our state’s largest cities and most rural communities. APCA supports CHCs through training, resources, and policy work, and the centers themselves provide direct care to patients.

Health centers provide a wide range of services, though specific care varies by location. Services may include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Behavioral Health
• Pharmacy
• Wellness
• Health Education

These services are designed with accessibility and affordability in mind. Whether someone has private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or no coverage at all, health centers work to make care affordable for everyone.

Health centers stay closely connected to the people they serve. Local patients and residents help guide health centers by serving on leadership boards. This helps make sure the care and services offered meet the needs of each community. Health centers also work with schools, food banks, and local groups to support the overall health of their communities.

Find your local health center and learn more about their services in your community.