[West Central Alabama - Alabama Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) are committed to expanding the health care workforce, maximizing diversity and facilitating distribution, especially in underserved communities. AHECs were created by Congress in 1971 to increase the quantity, diversity and distribution healthcare professionals, especially in rural and underserved areas. Research has been shown that positive changes to these three areas increase access and improve the overall health of communities.]