This compendium is a product of the Public Health Improvement Plan (PHIP) Partnership, created by the Committee on Access to Critical Health Services. It reflects the contributions of many individuals and public health jurisdictions.

People often experience difficulty in obtaining the health services they need. Barriers may be cost, lack of insurance, travel distance, a scarcity of providers, limited ability with English, or inability to navigate a complex, often confusing health system. Local public health jurisdictions often play a vital role in helping people obtain needed health services, working very closely with local health care providers and other community partners. These efforts have resulted in a broad array of community-based projects and support systems that help increase the chances that an individual will be able to access the health services they need.

Here are described more than 30 individual projects, covering a wide range of topics:

General Access to Health Services

Communicable and Infectious Disease

Pregnancy and Maternal, Infant, and Child Health Development

Behavioral Health and Mental Health Services

Cancer Services

Oral Health

Other Access Projects