Georgia Rising: A Rural Health Story explores the complex struggles of rural healthcare in Georgia by sharing the stories of three medical providers and their creative approaches in caring for people in their hometown communities.
Georgia Rising: A Rural Health Story highlights the significant health disparities in rural Georgia, marked by hospital closures, provider shortages, and higher rates of chronic disease. It also showcases innovative solutions like tele-health, community health centers (FQHCs), and state tax credits, with organizations like the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University and the Georgia Heart Hospital Program working to build resilience and improve access for underserved communities facing challenges like transportation and insurance gaps.
The Health Crisis in Rural Georgia
Poor Health Outcomes: Rural Georgians often experience higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and maternal/child health issues, and face significant barriers to care, including poverty and low health literacy.
Hospital Closures & Access: Georgia has seen numerous rural hospital closures, leaving communities without emergency care and local jobs, and creating “health deserts.”
Insurance Gaps: Many rural counties have uninsured rates above state and national averages, with the closure of rural hospitals exacerbating these access issues.
Georgia Health Data Hub
With the Georgia Health Data Hub, users can access up-to-date data for each Georgia county ranging from clinical care and prevention to healthcare workforce among others. This comprehensive database paints a more detailed picture of the health crisis in rural Georgia.
