Rural Health Care in North Georgia
May 5, 2009 by Staff
For the last few months, students from Prof. Patricia Thomas’ Health and Medical Reporting class and Mark E. Johnson’s Documentary Photography course have been collaborating on stories looking at health care issues in the rural counties around Athens. Through words, photos, audio and video, they have investigated the issues of concern around the area, from athletes to gangs, teen pregnancy to aging.
Elbert County
- Danielle Moore looks at the life of a high school student with a baby who still wants to go to college.
- Just out of high school, a new father prepares to enlist, reports Seth McKelvey.
- Teen pregnancy rates are cyclical so Parents as Teachers tries to use education to break the cycle reports Brian Miller.
Hall County
- While the numbers of gang members have fallen over the last decade, James Hataway looks at the ongoing issues with them through the eyes of the Boys and Girls Club.
- More than 4,000 kids, some of them former gang members, are part of the Boys and Girls Club as they search for a family and a healthier life, reports Laurie Moot.
- Three dots tattooed near her eyes indicate the gang life a Gainesville woman used to be a part of, reports Allison Carter.
- Autumn McBride reports that mental and emotional stress from gang membership can have a long term effect on the health of teenagers.
Hart County
- Tommy McGahee reports that the AARP has stepped in to help out with activities at the local senior center.
- The money side and the people side in the decision to cut the number of hours a senior center is open reports Beth Farrar.
Madison County
- Finding stability and remaining a member of society is a struggle for a local resident, reports Jacqueline Reedy.
- Beth Cooper looks at how Florence’s Manor has helped a woman find balance and purpose in her life.
- Time in jail can cause depression, but mental health issues are also a reason for being incarcerated according to inmates interviewed by Charles-Ryan Barber.
- Marona Graham-Bailey reports on the shortage of mental health professionals.
Oconee County
- With the largest population of older adults in the South, Brian Creech reports Georgia residents are finding ways to age gracefully.
- At Highland Hills, Patricia Andrews reports that exercise is key to happiness and health.
- Rachel Bailey finds that social activity and friendships help keep senior residents healthy.
- Lesley Onstott reports that art programs that enhance creativity can promote health and longevity for seniors.
Oglethorpe County
- Anna Doliantis looks at the challenges of rural emergency medical services and the turnover rates of personnel.
- Safety for student athletes is a primary concern as Olglethorpe County High School doesn’t have a full time medical trainer, reports Dorothy Kozlowski.
- Jim Diffly reports that emergency medical service personnel are training more to maintain a high quality of service because of both a low number of calls and the 18 mile distance to the nearest hospital.
[...] while the other two in my group looked at the benefits of staying social and staying active. The entire class’ projects are on the Grady Journal. Half of us did video, half audio slide show. I did a slide show, here. And, of course, some [...]
[...] at the University of Georgia spent the past few months assembling a 19-story package on health in six rural counties near the school’s Athens, Ga., campus. The package, done by students from Pat Thomas’ health and medical reporting class and Mark [...]
[...] Rural Health Care – This was a project with Prof. Patricia Thomas’ class looking at rural health care issues in north Georgia. [...]