Health by the Numbers: 2024 Impact
By: Mikailie Caulder

For most, accessing healthcare in Alabama’s rural communities means long drives, missed workdays, and, for many, simply going without care. In 2024, however, the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative helped to break down those barriers. At the heart of this transformation was integrating cutting-edge telehealth solutions and community-driven programs, reaching some of the state’s most underserved regions. By leveraging technology and local partnerships, the initiative not only brought healthcare closer to home but also empowered communities to take charge of their health. These efforts marked a pivotal moment in reshaping healthcare access for thousands across the Alabama Black Belt.

In a quiet room of the old Paramount High School in Greene County, a patient first stepped into an OnMed® Telehealth Station, a sleek, self-contained unit offering real-time medical consultations that opened in September. Just months before, they might have ignored their persistent cough or rising blood pressure. Now, with four new stations deployed in West Alabama throughout the fall, along with the existing one in Chambers County, healthcare is no longer out of reach. By the year’s end, these stations have collectively facilitated 1,207 patient consultations and conducted 1,000 vital checks, addressing chronic conditions like hypertension and acute respiratory illness that had long gone unmanaged.

The Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center (CCCHWC) has become a cornerstone of community outreach, bridging gaps in healthcare access that once felt hopeless. Over the course of 2024, more than 1,300 community members stepped through the doors, many for the first time. With 187 health education programs, screenings, and community events hosted throughout the year, the center has become more than just a health facility, it’s a hub of hope and care. None of this would be possible without the dedication of more than 500 Auburn University faculty, staff, and students, who worked alongside 52 community volunteers to ensure events were impactful and inclusive. Their efforts were felt most in October, the busiest month for the CCCHWC, when 23 events brought over 400 participants to the center. Health screenings, a critical lifeline for those without easy access to care, took center stage.

The ripple effects of the efforts are astounding. Chambers County saw a 16% increase in consultations in the OnMed® CareStation from 2023 to 2024, demonstrating a growing trust in telehealth solutions. In LaFayette, where the center is based, nearly half of the town’s population has taken advantage of its resources. Across West Alabama, the four OnMed® CareStations saw an 18% increase in visits from their launch through December, reinforcing the crucial role of the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative in expanding healthcare access. A staggering 63% of patients learned about the OnMed2® CareStations not through flyers or social media but through word-of-mouth from family, friends, and neighbors. In tight-knit rural communities, a personal recommendation carries more weight than an advertisement. This trust is reflected in the rising number of return visits. 37% of patients have come back within the year, solidifying the center’s role as a dependable community resource.

Through strategic expansion approaches, community engagement opportunities, and a commitment to better the communities they serve, the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative is proving that innovation and collaboration drive sustainable change. Leveraging technology, local leadership, and academic resources, the Rural Health Initiative is not only providing access to care, it’s transforming Alabama’s rural healthcare landscape. The success demonstrates that when healthcare solutions are tailored to the community’s unique needs, they become a trusted resource used in everyday life. With continued investment and collaboration, these efforts will continue to improve health outcomes today while laying the groundwork for a healthier, more resilient future for rural Alabama.