Why This Work Matters

Under Section 330 of the Health Center Program statute, health centers are authorized to assess and address air, water, chemical, and lead exposures that affect patient and community health. These exposures can cause or exacerbate chronic and acute health conditions, impact community well-being, and harm health center infrastructure and staff. Health centers help by identifying risks, supporting patient education, strengthening clinical workflows and infrastructure, and partnering locally to promote safer living conditions.

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Guiding Frameworks

Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being

Thriving Natural World is one of the seven categories of the Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being framework. This framework emphasizes the importance of clean air, safe water, healthy ecosystems, and protection from hazards and natural disasters.

Click through the Wheel to Learn more about each Vital Condition.

Source: The Rippel Foundation

NACHC Strategic Vision

NACHC positions health centers as the Employer, Provider, and Partner of Choice, advancing workforce, primary care, and system collaboration. Our work on Air, Water, and Chemical Exposures aligns closely with the domains of Practice and Education within the Science, Education, Policy, and Practice areas of the strategic framework.

Resources for Health Centers

Practice

Solar Microgrids

CHARGE Partnership
Solar panels with back-up battery storage (solar microgrids) are infrastructure improvements that enhance access to reliable power, stabilize costs, decrease care interruptions, and supports improved air quality. CHARGE partners offer a turn-key solution to finance and install solar microgrids.

DOE Cooperative Agreement
Up to $57M from the U.S. DOE to support solar microgrids at rural Southeast health centers. Funding may cover up to 70% of costs. Complete our Intake Form today!
Solar Story Map
Explore health centers nationwide that have installed solar microgrids to improve energy reliability and patient care.
Health Center Innovations- Stories from the Field
Read our growing collection of health center innovations that bring forward practices that support initiatives on air quality, water, and chemical exposures. Find specific examples under Thriving Natural World or view examples of the other six Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being.

Education

Foundational Learning Resources

ecoAmerica Training
Free on-demand training with continuing education credits for health professionals on communication about community exposures like heat, wildfires, and pollution.
Heat & Health Basics
Learn about heat risks, at-risk populations, EHR alert setup, and tabletop exercises.
Community Health & Power Hub
A new guide and video series to help health centers strengthen reliable power, partnerships, and proactive community support during natural disasters, especially those affecting air quality, water, and electricity.

Interactive Learning & Peer Exchange

Office Hours
Connect with peers and experts every other month to discuss tools, resources, and practical insights.
Disasters 101 Community of Practice
Build practical skills to prepare patients for disasters through collaborative learning and case studies. [Coming Soon!]
NACHC Board Subcommittee on Air, Water, and Chemical Exposures & Emergency Management
NACHC member engagement group that will help identify priorities and guide strategies for exposures and emergency management. [Coming Soon!]

Regional Projects & Specialized Initiatives

Gulf Coast Air Quality & Collaborative Natural Disaster Planning Project
Supported by Wellcome Trust and Kresge Foundation and in collaboration with NACHC’s Emergency Management team , this project addresses air quality and disaster impacts on patient health through EHR data analysis, partner collaboration, and resource development.