Eastern Iowa Health Center (EIHC) will celebrate National Health Center Week 2024 by organizing a motorcycle ride to all 14 community health centers across the state of Iowa.
The Iowa HERO Ride will take place from August 5-9, starting and ending at the Eastern Iowa Health Center in Cedar Rapids.
According to a press release from EIHC, the event aims to highlight the essential role health centers play in promoting health equity and providing vital care to communities across the state.
- Day one the ride will visit Community Health Care, Inc., Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa, Inc., and River Hills Community Health Center.
- Day two is Infinity Health, Proteus, Inc., Iowa Primary Care Association (PCA), and Primary Health Care Inc.
- Day three is All Care Health Center and Siouxland Community Health Center.
- Day four is Promise Community Health Center, United Community Health Center, and Community Health Center of Fort Dodge.
- Day five, the final day, is the Peoples Community Health Clinic and Crescent Community Health Center.
The Iowa HERO Ride is a tribute to the significant impact these centers have in Iowa and nationwide.
The ride will cover over 1,000 miles, with riders able to register for the entire week or for a single day. The registration fee is $100 for the week and $40 for a single day. Individuals unable to participate in the ride are encouraged to donate to their local community health center, with details available at the Iowa HERO Ride website.
As stated in the release, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) provide essential services to overcome barriers such as transportation, interpretation, food security, and access to social services. Studies show that the quality of care at FQHCs rivals that of private practices, with comprehensive services offered at affordable rates.
Iowa’s community health centers have a $328 million economic impact, particularly benefiting rural and under-resourced areas. These centers employ over 2,000 individuals and serve approximately 250,000 patients annually. Nationally, FQHCs generate over $85 billion in economic output, employ over 300,000 people, and provide care to more than 31.5 million patients.
