Why Do We Need an AHEC in Iowa?
Until 2007, Iowa was one of only four states without an area health education center. In building a new AHEC program, we have an opportunity to benefit from established best practices while responding to the unique challenges of Iowa's population, which include:
- Health workforce shortages – Across the state, there is a lack of health professionals working in primary medical care, dentistry, mental health and other vital service areas.
- Barriers in access to healthcare – The number of uninsured and underinsured who have difficulty accessing quality healthcare has continued to increase.
- The aging of rural Iowa – The state's agricultural community base has declined, leaving rural counties with a higher percentage of elderly with fewer family and health resources.
- Gains in diverse populations – Counties adjacent to metropolitan areas and counties that provide employment in agriculture have increased in diversity.
