The National Health Service Corps sends doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners and other care providers to communities without these providers. About half of the 4,000 NHSC clinicians work at Health Centers. source: National Association of Community Health Centers, (2007)
Since 2001, as part of President Bush’s Health Center Expansion Initiative, Congress has increased funding for Health Centers. Today, 5 million more Americans in 900 communities have access to effective, affordable primary care. source: Health Services and Resources Administration
Although cancer deaths have declined for both whites and African Americans in the U. S., African Americans continue to suffer the greatest burden for the most common types of cancer.
(Source: National Cancer Institute)
Depression is three times more common for those who have had a heart attack than for others. Heart patients should be screened and treated for depression. (Source: American Heart Association)
Wisconsin health dropped to 17th in the U.S. for 2008. Why? High geographic disparity (12.7%), binge drinking (23.8% of people), obesity (25.3% of people), and low public health funding ($34 per person). (Source: UnitedHealth Foundation)
The American Heart Association says add one hour of regular, vigorous physical activity to your day and you may gain up to two hours of life expectancy for that hour. Start it up with a click here.
In the 1960s, the federal health center program was begun to provide primary care to people who were poor and to complement to the new Medicaid program. source: The Commonwealth Fund
The 2007 estimated cost of diabetes in the U.S. was $174 billion. That’s $1 out of every $5 spent on health care.
(Source: The Economic Imperative to Conquer Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2008; 31(3):624-625.)
The combination of quit smoking medications and counseling can double or triple a person's chance of quitting for good.
(The U.S. Public Health Service)
The first Health Centers opened 40 years ago. Two Tufts University doctors got a federal grant to open Centers in Boston and Mississippi.
source: Shaping the Future From Our Past: Four Amazing Centuries of Innovation, Boston History & Innovation Collaborative, (2006)