August 12-15, 2018 is National Health Center Week (NHCW). If you work in the healthcare industry, you know it’s an annual celebration with the goal of raising awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s health centers over the past five decades. But, if you don’t, now’s the perfect time to learn more about the work and services health centers provide to special populations, including children and the homeless, within their (and your) community.

According to the NHCW website, health centers serve 27 million patients—a number that continues to grow along with the demand for affordable primary care. In addition to their long history as health care homes to millions, health centers produce innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities and reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the social determinants of health affecting special patient populations.

Like usual, a host of NHCW events are scheduled across the country, comprising health fairs, visits by Members of Congress and state officials to local health centers, press conferences, back-to-school drives, community breakfasts, patient appreciation events, free health screenings and much more. Each day of NHCW 2018 is dedicated to a particular focus area: