What is an AHEC?
An area health education center, or AHEC, recruits, trains and retains a health professions workforce committed to the underserved. Developed by Congress in 1972, the AHEC program aims to increase access to quality healthcare in rural and underserved areas. With 54 programs operating over 200 regional centers, the AHEC program is a national network that works collaboratively in local communities to improve health.
How Does an AHEC Work?
The AHEC program combines best-practice methods of workforce development with creative collaborations among key healthcare stakeholders in local communities. Each center develops programming specific to the needs of its service area in order to address regional health issues and increase workforce. AHEC programming accomplishes this by:
- Organizing activities for kindergarten through undergraduate students to foster interest in the pursuit of health careers.
- Connecting health professions students to career opportunities by setting up clinical experiences in rural and underserved areas.
- Offering continuing education courses to practicing health professionals that address the unique challenges of providing quality care to the medically underserved.
The AHEC Pipeline
