A network is being developed that will work to reduce health disparities and improve quality of care for Arkansans.

Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc. (CHCA), the Arkansas Primary Care Association, and six (6) of the 12 member Community Health Centers (CHCs) have received $458,003 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to develop the Arkansas Health Center Controlled Network (AHCCN).

The Network will establish an integrated and networked Health Information Technology infrastructure aimed at implementing certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs). CHCA will oversee the integration and networking of each CHC into the AHCCN.

Creation of the AHCCN will impact over 62,000 Arkansas CHC patients and will improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of care given by the participating CHCs. As part of this project, the AHCCN also aims to track and improve measures relating to early childhood immunizations, diabetes and cervical cancer. Integration into the AHCCN will allow Arkansas CHCs to share data, collaborate on future health disparity initiatives and provide patients with increased quality of care.

“The creation of the Arkansas Health Center Controlled Network provides Arkansas CHCs the opportunity to be on the leading edge of implementing available technologies which positively impacts the delivery of patient care and improves patient health outcomes,” says Sip Mouden, CEO, Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Inc. “Eventually all 12 Arkansas CHCs will belong to the network allowing them to share data electronically and lead the way in reducing health disparities among medically underserved Arkansans.”

Reducing health disparities is the number one priority of Arkansas CHCs. Historically, Arkansas has lagged behind the national average in the percent of two-year old children receiving CDC standard immunizations, as well as controlling diabetes. Moreover, the state’s death rate is 20-percent above the national average for deaths from cervical cancer. Implementation of the AHCCN is an important step forward in improving the health and well-being of all Arkansans.