CONNECTING COMMUNITIES TO BETTER HEALTH

Together we can make all communities healthy.

No matter where you live or work, developing a healthier community helps all of us. Western Washington Area Health Education Center works to develop a health professions workforce committed to underserved populations. This includes a focus on rural communities as well as underserved communities in urban areas. We have worked with state and local government, community schools and agencies to develop programs that improve access for all underserved populations.

Rural Health

The Washington State Department of Health reported on the 14 indicators for which residents in rural communities are less healthy than the state as a whole. These indicators include the rate of teenage births, children who are hospitalized due to injuries and the percentage of adults who delay seeing a doctor due to cost. Fewer rural residents receive breast cancer, colorectal cancer or dental screening and more adults and children lack health insurance coverage. The 2010 updated report is available HERE.

Western Washington Area Health Education Center (WWAHEC) has served as a state leader in the development of multiple strategies to address rural health needs. Our programs work with local and state-wide partners to address the issue of health disparities in western Washington.

 

  • Statewide Office of Rural Health
  • Opportunities for Health Professions Students
    • Rural Outreach Nursing Education (RONE)
    • Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP)
    • Rural Urban Nursing Outreach (RUN)
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Community Health: Assessment, Planning & Development

Through our work with local health jurisdictions, communities and various coalitions, Western Washington Area Health Education Center (WWAHEC) has built a team of knowledgeable and skilled staff professionals who recognize the need to build internal capacity within your organization as well as the community.

For the past ten years, we have helped communities strengthen their health care systems through a community-based process that has included assessment, community analysis, comprehensive planning, network and partnership building and staff and volunteer training. We have built on that experience, and are pleased to offer technical support for completing your project.

  • Technical Services Assistance

  • Primary Care Capacity Study
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Community Resources

Community Resources provides information to help community leaders support the health care safety net.

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