Georgia Southern’s Care Station project launched in downtown Statesboro to improve access to health products and testing
Georgia Southern University’s Institute for Health Logistics & Analytics (IHLA) has launched the Care Station project to address barriers to accessing over-the-counter health products.
Care Stations are standalone kiosks open 24/7 that allow users to purchase a range of over-the-counter health products. Items can be paid for using a digital wallet on a mobile phone; cash is not accepted.
The first Care Station is located in the alleyway behind Georgia Southern’s City Campus, located at 58 E. Main Street in Statesboro.
The project team, led by Jennifer Drey, IHLA community outreach coordinator, and Jill Johns, project manager, prioritized the specific needs of the local population when developing the idea.
“By understanding the unique needs of the community, we can offer customized health products and tests in easily accessible locations,” said Drey.
Because many of the products are personal in nature, the team designed the kiosks to provide users with privacy.
“These kiosks are easy to use, safe and completely confidential,” said Johns. “Whether someone is purchasing pain relievers or sexually transmitted infection tests, their privacy is protected..”
To help ensure the Care Stations meet community needs, IHLA encourages Statesboro and Bulloch County residents to share anonymous feedback through an online form at bit.ly/CareStation_Statesboro.
To expand access, a second Care Station will open soon in Vidalia, Georgia.
Drey said the project serves as a pilot initiative, with the long-term goal of replication statewide.
“Rural communities often experience difficulty accessing essential health care supplies and testing compared to their metropolitan counterparts,” she said. “We hope our pilot machines serve as a model for expansion of the program to other rural communities across Georgia.”
The Care Station project builds on IHLA’s recently completed Community Health Resource Project (CHRP), which identified key health disparities across rural counties and strengthened partnerships with local stakeholders.
A public ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Jan. 5, 2026.
IHLA uses an integrated One Health approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. Its mission is to transform the health and well-being of communities through applied evidence-based practices and technology integration.
Products and tests currently available at the Statesboro Care Station:
General Health
- Allergy medication
- Bandages
- Condoms
- Eyeglass repair kit
- Hand sanitizer wipes
- Hygiene kit
Pain Relief and Wound Care
- Ibuprofen
- Urinary pain relief tablets
- Rinse-free bath wipes
- Wound care kit
Children’s Health and Wellness
- Children’s Tylenol
- Diaper changing kit
Menstrual Products
- Pads
- Tampons
Diabetes Care
- Glucose tablets
Testing
- Test My Drink sheets
- Pregnancy tests
- HIV and syphilis tests
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis tests