National Health Center Week

National Health Center Week — August 7 to August 13 — celebrates the contributions that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and nonprofit community clinics make toward improving the health of individuals and communities.

FQHCs and nonprofit community clinics address the most pressing concerns through their quality and innovative care. They are locally-run, yet part of a national network that serves 1 in 12 Americans, or more than 30 million people. 
 

Community Health Centers: Lighting the Way for Healthier Communities Today and in the Future

This year's theme for National Health Center Week, "The Chemistry for Strong Communities," highlights the role of Community Health Centers as a beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This National Health Center Week honors those front line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) pandemic. From the very beginning of the crisis, Community Health Centers began finding innovative ways to provide preventative and primary care to their patients. As we commemorate the lives lost to the pandemic, we celebrate the future of Community Health. Let's shine a light across the country that will embody the future of primary health care access for underserved populations. Join us in celebrating health centers for their commitment to providing care for all of our neighbors, no matter the challenge.

FQHCs: A Safety Net for Angelenos

Nonprofit community health centers have been around for more than 50 years, providing access to affordable, high-quality health care to our county's most vulnerable populations.

These health centers serve as the community "safety net", providing primary health care, including medical, dental, and mental health services — regardless of ability to pay — for more than 1.7 million patients in L.A. County each year.
 

Elevating Healthcare through Partnerships

Since 2001, L.A. Care's Community Benefits Program has awarded FQHCs and nonprofit community clinics more than $103 million in direct grant funding to support:

  • Provider recruitment
  • Expansion of clinical spaces
  • New and updated electronic health records systems
  • Chronic disease management like asthma and diabetes
  • Oral health expansion of services
  • Adaptive equipment such as exam tables, hearing devices, and wheelchair accessible scale
  • Address health disparities and social determinants of health among racial groups