{"id":2934,"date":"2026-01-27T19:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T19:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/?post_type=projects&#038;p=2934"},"modified":"2026-01-28T15:37:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T15:37:51","slug":"innovative-strategies-for-advancing-health-and-healthcare-in-rural-georgia","status":"publish","type":"projects","link":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/projects\/innovative-strategies-for-advancing-health-and-healthcare-in-rural-georgia\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovative Strategies for Advancing Health and Healthcare in Rural Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1596458870957{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1579011887505{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1579011932922{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"site-title\"><a title=\"Teaming for Interdisciplinary Research Pre-Seed Program\" href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-pre-seeds\/\" rel=\"home\">Teaming for Interdisciplinary Research Pre-Seed Program<\/a><\/h1>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1642004953070{margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#004e60&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1578671862861{background-color: #004e60 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1762983037283{margin-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">Innovative Strategies for Advancing Health and Healthcare in Rural Georgia<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1642018498769{margin-right: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;2937&#8243; img_size=&#8221;405&#215;471&#8243; alignment=&#8221;right&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1769542086954{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;background-color: #004e60 !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1595855041843{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke remain the leading causes of hospitalization and mortality in Georgia. Additionally,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">behavioral health issues are the primary reason for hospital discharges among individuals aged 10 to 24. While statewide efforts have begun to reduce the prevalence and incidence of these conditions, rural communities continue to experience disproportionate health burdens and limited access to care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Georgia faces a significant healthcare access challenge, with 141 of its 159 counties<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:157}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">designated as medically underserved. This shortage of healthcare resources presents a critical barrier to improving population health and achieving equitable outcomes across<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:163,&quot;335559738&quot;:46,&quot;335559740&quot;:280}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the state. It also provides an opportunity to develop novel strategies which advance health in resource-constrained settings.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To address these challenges, our interdisciplinary team will develop and evaluate<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:154}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">innovative, community-driven strategies aimed at holistically improving health outcomes in rural Georgia. Through expanded collaboration with Archway Partnership communities, we will conduct needs assessments, map local assets, and co-design interventions that<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">reflect the unique milieus of each population. Our approach will include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:4352,&quot;335559740&quot;:410}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;134224900&quot;:false,&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enhanced identification and engagement <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of individuals with chronic medical and behavioral health conditions, including the development of community-based care models.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:107,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469777462&quot;:[720],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;134224900&quot;:false,&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Culturally responsive communication strategies <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to deliver accessible, respectful, and empowering health education\u2014designed to build health literacy, promote self-management, and encourage proactive engagement in care.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:17,&quot;335559738&quot;:153,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469777462&quot;:[720],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;134224900&quot;:false,&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Capacity-building initiatives <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to strengthen local healthcare infrastructure and improve access to longitudinal care, while supporting the resilience and well-being of the rural healthcare workforce.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:159,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469777462&quot;:[720],&quot;469777927&quot;:[0],&quot;469777928&quot;:[1]}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By integrating research, practice, and community partnership, our team seeks to create sustainable, scalable solutions that advance health and healthcare for Georgia\u2019s rural residents.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:163,&quot;335559738&quot;:159,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>Team Lead<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Gomez-Di Cesare, Caroline<\/strong><br \/>\n<span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW166320295 BCX0\"><u><a href=\"mailto:cmg25285@uga.edu\">cmg25285@uga.edu<\/a><\/u><\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"TextRun SCXW166320295 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW166320295 BCX0\">College: AU\/UGA Medical Partnership<\/span><\/span><span class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW166320295 BCX0\"><br class=\"SCXW166320295 BCX0\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Team Members<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Young, Henry<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:hnyoung@uga.edu\">hnyoung@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Pharmacy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Berg, Alison<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:alisoncberg@uga.edu\">alisoncberg@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Family and Consumer Sciences<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cabellero, Joshua<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:Joshua.Caballero@uga.edu\">Joshua.Caballero@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Pharmacy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Parisi, Michelle<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:michelle.parisi@uga.edu\">michelle.parisi@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Family and Consumer Sciences<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Rawarl, Smita<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:sr54982@uga.edu\">sr54982@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Pharmacy<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ingram, Lucy Annang<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:Lucy.Ingram@uga.edu\">Lucy.Ingram@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Public Health<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Gibbs, Daniel James<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:dangibbs@uga.edu\">dangibbs@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Social Work<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Weatherly, Christopher Paul<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:cweatherly@uga.edu\">cweatherly@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Social Work<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cloudy, Joshua<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:Joshua.Cloudy@uga.edu\">Joshua.Cloudy@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Grady College of Journalism &amp; Mass Communication<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Liggett, Sharon<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:sliggett@uga.edu\">sliggett@uga.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"none\">College: Archway Partnership<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"featured_media":2937,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[30],"class_list":["post-2934","projects","type-projects","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2025-projects"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects\/2934"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/projects"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/projects\/2934\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/team-research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}