In 1970, the Carnegie Commission published the “Report on Higher Education and the Nation’s
Health”. This report called for a greater distribution of primary care physicians and health care
services in underserved areas. As a result of this study, the National AHEC was formed. The
Pennsylvania AHEC entered the national network of AHECs in 1994. Part of a statewide system
of seven regional AHECs, the Northwest PA AHEC began in 1994.

The PA-DEL AHEC System is an integrated system that coordinates a statewide medical
education and training network dedicated to improving the distribution and quality of Pennsylvania’s
health professions workforce. The AHEC maintains contracts and/or affiliation agreements with
academic centers, health science institutions, health care systems, community-based practices and
organizations to fulfill its mission.

The PA-DEL AHEC is an integral partner to the emerging public health infrastructure. The Associate
Director of the PA-DEL AHEC is an active member of the executive and educational advisory
committees for the Public Health Regional Training Network and the Center for Public Health
Preparedness. With its academic and community partners, the PA-DEL AHEC assists in program
development for emerging public health issues such as bioterrorism, as well as maintenance of the
programs for health promotion and disease prevention. Special attention is given to minority
health disparities.