Bethel Census Area, AK

Bethel Census Area, AK

• Bethel Census Area is a census area located in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,386. The census area's largest community is the city of Bethel, which is also the largest city in the unorganized borough of Alaska and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Geography

• The Bethel Census Area is part of the unorganized borough of Alaska and therefore has no borough seat. Its largest community is the city of Bethel, which is located on the Kuskokwim River. The area encompasses a total area of 46,923 square miles, of which 40,570 square miles is land and 6,352 square miles is water.

Healthcare in Bethel Census Area, AK

• Healthcare in Bethel Census Area is primarily provided by the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), a Tribal Organization that administers a comprehensive healthcare delivery system for 58 rural communities in southwest Alaska. The system includes community clinics, sub-regional clinics in five of the area villages, and a regional hospital located in Bethel.

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital

• The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital is a critical access hospital located in Bethel, Alaska. It is the primary healthcare facility for the Bethel Census Area and the surrounding Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. The hospital provides a range of services including acute care, pediatric, obstetrics, general surgery, adult medical-surgical care, outpatient, and emergency services.

Community Clinics

• In addition to the regional hospital, the YKHC operates 47 village clinics and five sub-regional clinics in Aniak, Emmonak, Hooper Bay, Toksook Bay, and St. Mary's. These clinics provide primary healthcare services to the residents of the Bethel Census Area.

Public Health Issues

• Like many rural areas in Alaska, the Bethel Census Area faces unique public health challenges. These include high rates of substance abuse, suicide, and domestic violence, as well as health issues related to a traditional subsistence lifestyle, such as food insecurity and lack of access to clean water.

Conclusion

• Despite these challenges, the YKHC and other healthcare providers in the Bethel Census Area continue to work towards improving healthcare access and outcomes for all residents. Through a combination of traditional and modern medical practices, these organizations strive to provide comprehensive healthcare services that meet the unique needs of this rural Alaskan community.