Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program redesigned for 2017

Area Health Education Centers FY 2017 Distribution, diversity, practice transformation

HRSA is now accepting applications for the newly redesigned FY 2017 Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. The redesigned program is intended to build education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.

In turn, these networks support HRSA’s strategic priorities to increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health workforce, enhance health care quality, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved populations.

Learn more about the AHEC program.

HRSA works with partners to support children and families affected by the Zika virus

image a doctor going over a medical chart with a patient

Family Voices - HRSA awarded $250,000 to the National Center for Family/Professional Partnerships, implemented by Family Voices, to provide training and technical assistance on family to family support, referral assistance, and culturally-appropriate information to families of children with special health care needs, including families whose children have been exposed to or affected by the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and other territories impacted by Zika.

American Academy of Pediatrics - HRSA awarded $250,000 to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), to support the coordination of health professional educational and training efforts, including telementoring, to increase the clinical expertise of primary care clinicians to more appropriately provide family-centered, comprehensive, coordinated, and culturally effective care in the context of a medical home for infants exposed to or affected by the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and other territories impacted by Zika.

Learn how HRSA works to combat the Zika virus.

IHS and HRSA expand NHSC-eligible IHS and tribal hospital sites

December 21, The Indian Health Service (IHS) and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) announced the addition of 27 IHS and tribally run hospitals to the list of NHSC-eligible sites available for selection by member clinicians. The expansion means that NHSC health care providers, in addition to their hours in the outpatient clinics, may also serve a limited number of hours in the inpatient setting at these facilities.

IHS Principle Deputy Director Mary L. Smith said, "Recruiting and retaining qualified health care providers at rural hospitals, including IHS facilities, is a major challenge. Programs such as the National Health Service Corps help us attract talented doctors, dentists, behavioral health providers, nurse practitioners and other health professionals to serve our patients."

Read the news release.

Winning a global fight

Photo of about two dozen children of South Sudan

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provides prevention, screening and treatment in 65 countries where the HIV virus once ran unchecked. Staff from HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau have supported PEPFAR since its creation, working with host countries to assess public health and design customized assistance programs.

Launched in 2003 by President Bush and carried forth by President Obama, the program provides care and support for 6.2 million orphans and vulnerable children; HIV testing and counseling for 74.3 million people, including 14.7 million pregnant women; treatment for 11.5 million men, women and children; and training for more than 190,000 new health care workers in the hardest hit regions of the world.

Learn more about PEPFAR.