Two Mercer University School of Medicine faculty members want to tackle diabetes and hypertension in Georgia's rural communities.
Bryant Smalluy and Jacob Warren say those are the two biggest chronic conditions in rural areas.
They say that's because Georgia's farm counties are "food deserts," which produce food that gets shipped tor the rest of state.
To help, the Medical School plans to launch a tele-based program. The program will allow people in rural areas to get medical advice over the phone.
Pam Perry of Crawford County says she drives 8 miles to the grocery store. She says aside from the essentials, it's hard to find many options. "We are limited. Thank goodness for this grocery store, because I think it's the only one in town."
The options at grocery stores in rural Central Georgia can be scarce, and grocery shoppers in rural areas find it harder to find healthy options because there's so many unhealthy options.
Food culture in rural areas is a challenge for some, because produce is harvested for the rest of the state and then sent away.
These rural communities are known as food deserts because people don't have access to healthy food. Perry tries to avoid that by having her own garden at home. "My husband has a garden that is way bigger than we can possibly eat," said Perry.
Mercer Medical also says diabetes is more common in rural areas because it is harder to live a healthy lifestyle, but Perry tries to beat that.
"If you're doing yardwork and taking care of that garden, that's pretty good exercise," said Perry.
Perry says while the grocery stores don't have the best options, she always tries to leave the store with healthy groceries.