CHCs Star in Preventive Care
Community health centers outperform other primary care providers in the use of preventive care, despite their more vulnerable patient population, according to a study from George Washington University. The analysis showed that health centers, which primarily serve Medicaid and uninsured patients, achieved significantly higher levels of preventive health care—in some cases up to 22% higher—in key areas, including screening for diabetes, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and hypertension. The study used data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to compare use of preventive services by adults aged 25–64 years who visited community health centers.