Nearly 32.5 million patients – or 1 in 10 people nationwide – rely on community health centers (CHCs) for primary and preventive health care services. CHCs serve as a “medical home” by providing comprehensive primary care for adults and children, preventive screenings and immunizations, and enabling services that improve access and address health-related needs.
Vision is an integral part of overall health, and vision services are a key component to primary care. A comprehensive eye exam can reveal early signs of systemic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even some cancers, highlighting the link between eye health and general well-being. Despite this, only 1 in 4 (26%) CHCs nationwide offer vision services through an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and a mere 3% of patients access these services.
This resource was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,656,250 with 0 percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
