AI-Enabled Diabetic Foot Ulcer Monitoring and Management in Rural Georgia

In Stewart County, where rates of diabetes and related complications were significantly higher than the state average, a pilot project brought AI-enabled health monitoring to rural residents. Building on a successful prototype from Georgia Tech and Emory University, the project deployed the Diabetic Ulcer Computational Sensing System (DUCSS) — a mobile app that used AI to detect early signs of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

The pilot was hosted at the Wims Community Center and paired older adults with caregivers to test the app’s usability and impact over a four-week period. The program emphasized plain-language guidance, offline functionality, and shared-device use, making it accessible for users with limited internet access or experience with digital health tools.

Nurses from the MN Enrichment AI & Digital Health Program at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing played a critical role in connecting with the community. Through their involvement, students gained experience integrating emerging technologies into patient care while contributing to health equity and innovation.

Through health education workshops, co-design sessions, and community-led evaluation, the project demonstrated how AI tools can be effectively integrated into rural health infrastructure, helping reduce avoidable hospitalizations and strengthen local capacity for chronic disease management.