The community health center seeks to provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care to all Moloka'i residents and the target population of underinsured and uninsured residents

Reason for Need

Moloka'i has been designated a Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area for primary care, dental care, and behavioral health care by the U.S. Public Health Service. The State Department of Health's primary planning document for health services indicates medical, dental, and behavioral health services, particularly for the underinsured, as among the top five priorities for the county. Moloka'i's unique health needs stem from the island's geographic isolation, its high rates of chronic disease and cancer, the state's dismal Medicaid dental coverage, and soaring crystal methamphetamine abuse. As the only major Hawaiian island without a community health center, the Hawaii Primary Care Association and the State Primary Care Office have identified Moloka'i as a priority area for such a facility.

EC Support

EC support has been used to install the center's x-ray facilities and to purchase needed medical.

EC funding has also enabled the Community Health Center to construct the infrastructure needed to open a dental facility. The funding leveraged from the EC and federal and state funds allows for over 1,000 residents to receive dental services.

In addition, with the distinction as an EC project, the CHC has been able to access EC set-aside funds through the USDA.

Photo: Community Health Center patient and staff. Courtesy of CHC