North Slope community health aide program strengthens village care network

The North Slope Borough's Community Health Aide Program, or CHAP, lays out the borough's village clinic network and the staffing model that keeps basic medical care running in remote communities. The program documents clinic locations and contact information for villages including Atqasuk, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Point Lay, Wainwright and others, and describes how local aides deliver front-line healthcare and emergency services around the clock.

CHAP positions village-based health aides as the first line of care in places where access to hospitals and specialists requires travel. The program supports 24/7 local access to basic medical assessment, wound care, medication management and emergency stabilization, and it coordinates with regional health partners to arrange referrals and higher-level care when needed. By mapping clinic addresses and contacts, the borough aims to make it easier for residents and emergency responders to reach the nearest point of care.

Beyond immediate clinical services, the borough frames CHAP within a broader public health strategy. Community health services and the Healthy Communities initiatives link clinical care to prevention work, youth activities and culturally informed healthy living programs across the North Slope. These efforts are designed to reduce avoidable illness, strengthen traditional and community-centered approaches to wellness, and keep prevention and education accessible alongside acute care.

For villagers, the CHAP framework has practical implications. Clear clinic locations and contact details help families find care without lengthy travel, and local staffing supports continuity with providers who understand community needs and culture. The program also reduces dependence on sporadic outreach by outside providers by investing in village-based capacity that can respond quickly to everyday health needs and stabilize emergencies before transfer.

From a policy and equity perspective, CHAP highlights longstanding priorities for remote communities: sustaining local workforce pipelines, ensuring reliable funding for round-the-clock coverage, and maintaining strong referral links to regional hospitals. Strengthening these elements promotes health equity by keeping essential services within reach of residents who live far from urban centers.

Readers can use the CHAP materials to locate their village clinic and learn how local services connect with regional care. As the borough continues coordinating clinical services with prevention and youth programs, maintaining support for community health aides remains central to ensuring resilient, culturally grounded care for the North Slope.