AK · Healthcare shortage profile
Aleutians West County, AK
Home to 5,232 residents, with 24 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 24
- Population
- 5,232
- Peak shortage score
- 16.0
- MUA Index
- 61.7
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Aleutians West County ranks among the most underserved counties in the country - 24 active HPSA designations, more than 96% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 24
- Active HPSA designations
- 8
- Dental shortages
- 16
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 4%
- US counties by volume
Corpus placement
Designated volume without a high-priority score
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Aleutians West County carries 24 active designations, above 96% of real US counties. None of those scores clear HRSA's high-priority line of 17 on this release, so the page leads with severity reading rather than a national distribution chart.
State peer position. Aleutians West County falls in the lower half of AK counties by active-designation volume, at rank 16 of 31. Ties share a rank.
Computed from current designated HPSA rows for every five-digit county FIPS. See the placement methodology.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 02016. Population: 5,232.
Below high-priority line
Aleutians West County is designated, but no active score clears 17
24 active designations sit on this FIPS (8 primary care, 8 mental health, 8 dental), and the peak severity is 16.0. That is a formal shortage footprint without HRSA's high-priority (≥17) tier, so NHSC placement geography is usually weaker here than on counties whose lead score clears the line.
Medically Underserved Area
Peak severity scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 24 active (designated) HPSAs in Aleutians West County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Aleutians West | dental | 16.0 |
| Iliuliuk Family And Health Services, Inc. | dental | 14.0 |
| Atka Villiage Clinic | mental_health | 13.0 |
| Adak Health Center | mental_health | 13.0 |
| Adak Health Center | dental | 12.0 |
| Atka Villiage Clinic | dental | 12.0 |
| Iliuliuk Family And Health Services, Inc. | primary_care | 11.0 |
| Iliuliuk Family And Health Services, Inc. | mental_health | 11.0 |
| Saint Paul Health Center | mental_health | 11.0 |
| Oonalaska Wellness Center | mental_health | 10.0 |
| Saint George Health Clinic | mental_health | 10.0 |
| Aleutians West Census Area | primary_care | 9.0 |
| Nikolski Village Clinic | mental_health | 9.0 |
| Aleutians West | mental_health | 9.0 |
| Nikolski Village Clinic | primary_care | 8.0 |
| Adak Health Center | primary_care | 8.0 |
| Saint George Health Clinic | primary_care | 8.0 |
| Atka Villiage Clinic | primary_care | 8.0 |
| Saint Paul Health Center | dental | 8.0 |
| Saint Paul Health Center | primary_care | 7.0 |
| Oonalaska Wellness Center | dental | 6.0 |
| Nikolski Village Clinic | dental | 6.0 |
| Saint George Health Clinic | dental | 6.0 |
| Oonalaska Wellness Center | primary_care | 5.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Aleutians West County
Dental care carries Aleutians West County's deepest shortage reading, 16.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, still short of the 17-point priority line, though the designation itself is formal. Primary care reads 11.0 of 25; Mental health reads 13.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 61.7, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Aleutians West County above 96% of real US counties (24 active designations: 8 primary care, 8 mental health, 8 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 16.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.
Aleutians West County falls in the lower half of AK counties by active-designation volume, at rank 16 of 31. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aleutians West County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Aleutians West County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 61.7. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Aleutians West County have?
Aleutians West County, AK has 24 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 8 in primary care, 8 in mental health, and 8 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Aleutians West County's HPSA score of 16.0 mean?
16.0 in dental care falls under 17, so the shortage is formally designated but outside HRSA's high-priority tier.
What healthcare providers are needed in Aleutians West County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Aleutians West County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Which federal programs do Aleutians West County's designations unlock?
Aleutians West County's 24 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.
How does Aleutians West County compare to other counties in AK?
Aleutians West County has 24 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 16.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in AK on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Aleutians West County stands relative to the rest of the country.
Next read: Dental Shortage in America · AK state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 02016. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.