Community Health Aide Week
Effective Date: Monday, April 23rd, 2012
WHEREAS, rural Alaskans living in isolated communities depend on Community Health Aides, Community Health Practitioners, Dental Health Aides, and Behavioral Health Aides for primary health care; and
WHEREAS, the Community Health Aide Program first emerged during the tuberculosis epidemic of the 1950s, when village volunteers monitored the administration of tuberculosis medications in village-based treatment programs; and
WHEREAS, the Community Health Aide Program was formally established by the Indian Health Service in 1968, and has grown to be a vital component of the rural health care system now managed by tribal organizations across Alaska; and
WHEREAS, Community Health Aides are critical to the health and wellness of rural Alaskan communities, ensuring that Alaskans, wherever they choose to live, have access to basic medical care; and
WHEREAS, the Community Health Program has proven to be highly successful, and has become a model for administering rural health care in other countries; and
WHEREAS, Community Health Aides, Community Health Practitioners, Dental Health Aides, and Behavioral Health Aides provide quality care for rural residents and their efforts should be commended as they care for and improve the health of Alaskans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim April 23-27, 2012 as:
Community Health Aide, Community Health Practitioner,
Dental Health Aide, and Behavioral Health Aide Week
in Alaska, and encourage Alaskans to recognize the significant contributions of these health care providers, and thank them for their tireless, dedicated service to Alaskans.
Dated: April 12, 2012
