About Statewide MAHEC
Why are Missouri Area Health Education Centers Important to Communities?
Many of Missouri's rural counties and portions of our urban areas do not have adequate numbers of primary health care professionals to provide quality health care to citizens. Primary health care is essential to build and maintain health communities. MAHEC is a statewide network of centers that have partnered with health profession schools and community organizations to address area needs pertaining to health-care delivery and health care providers. There are seven regional centers throughout the state working with communities on health care issues. To locate your regional Area Health Education Center, locate your county on the MAHEC Map link. You can also visit the MAHEC web site for additional information.
How does MAHEC Help?
- Recruits and helps young people from underserved communities become health professionals.
- The best-known way to produce health professionals for these communities is to train students who grew up there.
- Trains medical students and students in other health professions in underserved communities.
- MAHEC makes it possible for students interested in practicing in underserved communities to gain real-world clinical experience in those communities.
- Retains providers who practice in underserved areas.
- MAHEC works with academic institutions to bring necessary educational programs and resources to communities to break down the isolation often experienced by providers.
Missouri is just one of many states supporting AHEC. AHEC is a national network of health professionals, educational programs, and community-based organizations striving to improve health care in underserved communities through education across the nation. Contact the National AHEC Organization for information on additional participating states.
