Rural Georgia communities face many challenges in achieving and maintaining health due to complex social, geographic, and economic factors. The Mercer University School of Medicine has identified 10 grand challenges facing rural Georgia, called Grand Challenges of Rural Health. The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center addresses these challenges with innovative thinking, collaborative strategies, and interdisciplinary resources. These challenges were selected based on the extent of its impact on rural Georgia and the documented need to begin developing an effective, innovative solution to resolve the challenge.

  • Maternal and Child Health

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    Physician and Health Workforce Shortage

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    Health Literacy

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    Strategic Health Care Availability and Access

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    Social Determinants of Health

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    Mental Health

  • Substance Abuse

  • Health Care Infrastructure

  • Rural Occupational Health

  • Aging Populations