The Decentralized Academic Health Center: A 21st-Century Model for Rural Health Innovation

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Discusses the role of academic health centers in addressing rural health needs and proposes the Decentralized Academic Health Center (D-AHC) model. Compares the traditional model with D-AHC and discusses implementation through teaching and workforce, research and data, clinical partnerships and digital health, community engagement and policy, financial sustainability, and provider and community readiness. Includes a 5-phase roadmap for implementation.

Patrick C. Hardigan, Johannes Vieweg

Health Affairs Scholar, 4(5)

05/2026

Health workforce education and training · Healthcare business and finance · Networking and collaboration · Policy · Research methods and resources · Statistics and data · Sustainability of programs · Telehealth