Center for Public Health Practice & Research

The Center for Public Health Practice and Research (CPHPR) works to improve the health status of rural and underserved communities by providing high-level technical assistance, education, public health research, and program/process evaluation services to public and rural health agencies, organizations, and various business models. In alignment with the College’s mission, the Center aims to be recognized as a leader in public health outreach, serving as a valuable resource to rural and underserved populations and the entities that serve them.

The CPHPR has served Georgia and the southeastern United States for over 25 years. Beginning in 2023, the Center expanded its service area to encompass the entire United States and its territories. Housed in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health , the Center is staffed by JPHCOPH faculty and collaborates with numerous colleges across Georgia Southern’s campuses.

The Center’s research is anchored by active community engagement at local, state, and national levels. In practice, the CPHPR fosters relationships between Georgia’s rural and public health systems and the faculty and staff of the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.

Research & Practice Briefs

Explore our research focused on improving healthcare in rural areas. Recent projects include an examination of performance improvement in rural hospitals, CEO turnover rates, the impact of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit, and strategies for improving rural hospital profitability.