Georgia State University Awarded $1.75M Merck Foundation Grant to Address Heart Health Through Community-Led Support

Georgia State University's Georgia Health Policy Center uses a new $1.75M grant to pair community health workers with heart patients to address housing and food needs.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 8:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert!

Addressing the Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Health

Heart disease and hypertension remain significant public health challenges in Georgia, but medical care is often only one piece of the puzzle. For many residents, the ability to manage chronic conditions is directly tied to stable access to food, housing, and transportation. To address these systemic barriers, the Merck Foundation has awarded a five-year, $1.75 million grant to the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC) at Georgia State University. This funding will support the expansion of a personalized care model that prioritizes social stability as a foundational requirement for cardiovascular wellness.

The ARCHI Care Model: A System of Coordination

The grant will empower the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI), an initiative developed by the GHPC alongside the Atlanta Regional Commission and the United Way of Metro Atlanta. At the heart of the ARCHI model is the community health worker—a dedicated liaison who serves as a single point of contact for the patient. Rather than requiring individuals to navigate a fragmented network of social and medical services on their own, the program shifts the burden of coordination to the health worker, who "walks alongside" the patient to ensure they are connected to the right resources at the right time.

Measurable Gains in Patient Outcomes

Early data from this community-led approach has demonstrated significant clinical success. According to Jeff Smythe, leader of the ARCHI collaborative, six-month check-ins have revealed substantial improvements in key health metrics. Overall, 68% of patients in the program saw improved blood pressure readings, while 91% of those facing food insecurity successfully gained access to nutrition support. Furthermore, the model has significantly reduced the strain on local healthcare infrastructure, with emergency room visits dropping by 39% and hospital lengths of stay being notably shortened.