The CHAP Program

The CHAP program, established in 1968 in Alaska, addresses healthcare access in rural villages by training local individuals to provide various healthcare services. It reduces the need for costly travel to larger cities like Anchorage for healthcare. Over time, CHAP has become a primary care backbone for Alaskan native villages, focusing on primary care, dentistry, and behavioral health. It's cost-effective, addresses continuity of care, and is implemented in tribal communities outside Alaska to improve healthcare access in rural areas with limited resources.