National Health Center Week 2025
avolzke • July 31, 2025
National Health Center Week 2025
From August 3–9, 2025, health centers across the United States will observe National Health Center Week (NHCW), highlighting the essential role they play in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to millions of Americans.
Since their founding in the 1960s, Community Health Centers have led efforts to address not only medical needs but also the broader social and economic factors that influence health—such as housing, employment, education, and access to nutritious food. These social determinants of health remain central to the mission of health centers nationwide.
The Community Health Center of Central Wyoming (CHCCW) has been serving the region as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) since 1999. With clinics in Casper, Dubois, Lander, and Riverton, CHCCW is dedicated to improving the well-being of Central Wyoming communities through comprehensive, patient-centered care.
In 2024, CHCCW served 17,947 patients across its clinics. As of mid-2025, that number has already reached 11,040, reflecting the growing demand for reliable, community-based healthcare in the region.
As National Health Center Week approaches, CHCCW reaffirms its mission to provide high-quality, affordable care with compassion, dignity, and respect—regardless of a patient’s income level or insurance status.
Community members are encouraged to learn more about CHCCW’s impact and services by visiting their local clinic or exploring available resources online.

Medicare is health coverage for adults 65+, but you may qualify earlier if you have a disability, ESRD, or ALS. Some people are enrolled automatically, while others need to sign up, it all depends on when you begin receiving Social Security benefits. You can have an annual Wellness visit to update a personalized plan for preventing disease or disability; this visit focuses on prevention, not a physical exam. Medicare Part B covers the cost for your annual visit.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among both youth and adults in the United States. For every life lost, many more individuals make a plan, attempt suicide, or seek care in an emergency department. Mental health plays a major role. Nearly half of people who die by suicide have a history of a diagnosed mental health condition. However, many others may struggle silently, with no diagnosis at all. Access to timely mental health care can make a critical difference in reducing risk. It’s important to understand that suicide is complex. Factors at the individual, relationship, and community levels can all contribute. Veterans, for example, face higher suicide rates than the general population. Programs like the CDC’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention program and the Make the Connection campaign are working to provide support, share personal stories, and connect veterans to resources. Youth mental health is also an urgent concern. According to the most recent data from 2023, 1 in 5 U.S. high school students reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year. This highlights the importance of open conversations, prevention efforts, and ensuring young people know help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, you are not alone. Free and confidential help is available 24/7/365. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org .











