Merck Foundation Grant Empowers Community Health Workers to Prevent Heart Disease in Georgia

Atlanta program pairs patients with community health workers to address social determinants of health beyond just medical care.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:28am

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray-style photograph of a human heart, rendered in shades of blue and purple, with glowing veins and arteries, surrounded by a hazy, ethereal background, conceptually representing the interconnected social and environmental factors that shape heart health.An innovative community health program in Atlanta uses X-ray-like imagery to reveal the hidden systems that impact heart health beyond just medical care.Atlanta Today

The Merck Foundation has awarded a $1.75 million grant to the Georgia Health Policy Center to fund a community-based initiative that pairs patients with local health workers. This approach aims to address the root causes of heart disease and high blood pressure, such as access to nutritious food, stable housing, and reliable transportation, which often serve as barriers to good health in underserved communities.

Why it matters

Traditional healthcare models often fall short by treating symptoms without addressing the environmental factors that contribute to chronic illnesses like heart disease. This grant-funded program in Georgia is flipping the script, using community health workers to build trust, understanding, and a support system that extends beyond the doctor's office and into patients' daily lives.

The details

The Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) is leading the initiative, pairing patients with community health workers who help coordinate medical care as well as address social determinants of health. Early results show dramatic improvements in patients' blood pressure, A1C scores, and emergency room visits, not just due to medical interventions, but because the community health workers are empowering people to rebuild their lives with stability as the foundation for better health.

  • The Merck Foundation grant was awarded in April 2026.
  • The community health worker program launched in Atlanta shortly after the grant was announced.

The players

Merck Foundation

A philanthropic organization that provides funding and resources to support innovative healthcare initiatives.

Georgia Health Policy Center

A research center that works to improve health and well-being in Georgia through evidence-based policy and program development.

Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI)

A coalition of healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies working to address social determinants of health in the Atlanta region.

Mikah Fuller

A community health worker turned case manager who exemplifies the holistic, empathetic approach of the program, helping patients rebuild their lives beyond just managing their medical conditions.

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What’s next

The community health worker program is expected to expand to additional neighborhoods in Atlanta over the next year, with plans to share the model with other cities facing similar challenges around chronic disease and social determinants of health.

The takeaway

This grant-funded initiative in Georgia demonstrates the power of a holistic, community-based approach to healthcare that addresses not just medical needs, but the broader social and environmental factors that shape people's health. By empowering local health workers to build trust and support stability in patients' lives, this program offers a blueprint for the future of healthcare that prioritizes prevention and human connection over reactive, transactional models.