A recent avenue for grassroots outreach, a rural forum for addressing women’s health concerns, has positioned the UAB Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with an outstanding opportunity to further focus on supporting and educating women in rural Alabama. Through a free, monthly women’s health column published in local newspapers, UAB OB/GYN faculty are sharing accessible, evidence-based women’s health topics with communities where access to care and health education can be limited.
The column, “Strong Women… Strong Community,” focuses on providing reliable information on women’s health topics that matter most to rural women. What began as a single article has grown into an ongoing collaboration with multiple rural newspapers and a broader vision for statewide impact.
We spoke with Isabel Scarinci, Ph.D., MPH, director for the UAB OB/GYN Division of Global and Rural Health, about how the initiative began, why it matters, and how faculty across the department are contributing to this effort.
Q&A with Dr. Isabel Scarinci
Q: How did the idea for a recurring women’s health column in rural newspapers come about, and what made you realize this was an opportunity worth growing?
A: I approached The Clarion in Jackson County to explore whether they would publish an article on cervical cancer in celebration of cervical cancer month in 2025. The editor was very gracious and asked if we would be interested in partnering with them to publish a monthly column on women’s health as a public health service. This is something I wanted to do for a long time but had not found an avenue to do it. Our department leadership was supportive, and the initial articles were so well received by the community that we offered the opportunity to other newspapers across Alabama, with the support of the Alabama Press Association.
Q: Why was it important for this initiative to focus on education and awareness rather than promotion for clinical services or research?
A: There is no exchange of dollars in the effort. That is, we do not pay the newspapers to publish the column, and they do not pay us to write it. It is a true public health service by both parties. This is true community engagement.
Q: From your perspective, what gaps exist in access to women’s health information in rural communities, and how does a local newspaper help bridge those gaps?
A: In rural communities, access to women’s health information can be limited not by interest, but by distance and opportunity. Academic clinicians are committed to patient care, education, and research, yet the size of our state and the demands of these roles can make in-person outreach difficult. Local newspapers, however, are trusted voices with a deep understanding of their communities. By partnering with them, we can share practical, evidence-based health information in a way that feels familiar and accessible and bring expertise out of academic settings and into everyday life
Q: You’ve received positive feedback from editors and readers. What has stood out to you most about the response so far?
A: What has stood out most is how much readers value access to trusted, credible information, and the reassurance that UAB health care providers are genuinely invested in their communities. Many comments express appreciation that clinicians are willing to take the time to connect, which tells me there’s a lingering perception that academic medicine can feel distant or inaccessible. This column helps change that narrative. Our experience has shown the opposite: every colleague I’ve approached has been eager to participate. The same is true for our broader outreach efforts. Faculty, fellows, and residents consistently step forward, even when it means traveling hours to engage with communities. I think it’s important for people across Alabama to know that their providers are not only experts, but they are also deeply committed to meeting them where they are.
Q: What are some of the focus topics for the column?
A: We cover a different topic every month. Some of them include diabetes and pregnancy, pelvic floor disorders, uterine cancer, tobacco cessation among women, menopause, hypertension, pregnancy, etc.
Q: How are topics chosen for the “Strong Women… Strong Community” column, and what tends to resonate most with rural audiences?
A: Topics for the column are shaped directly by what we hear during our outreach efforts across rural Alabama. We listen carefully to community members, their concerns, questions, and priorities, and use those insights to guide our content. While we may not be able to address every need, we focus on areas where education can make a meaningful difference.
The topics that resonate most are those that are highly relevant to women’s daily lives, particularly issues that are common but often misunderstood or under-discussed. For example, many women in rural areas believe that urinary incontinence is an inevitable part of aging, when effective treatments are available. We are fortunate to have nationally recognized experts within our department, and just as importantly, compassionate physicians who are eager to share their knowledge. This column brings that expertise directly to the community because when women are healthy and informed, families and communities are stronger.
Q: Why do you see this as a meaningful way for clinicians and researchers to extend their impact beyond traditional settings?
A: As an academic medical center, our mission extends beyond providing excellent patient care and training the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and educators. We also have a responsibility to contribute to the health of the state as a whole. Engaging with communities across Alabama by sharing our knowledge is both a responsibility and a privilege. Efforts like this allow clinicians and researchers to extend their impact beyond traditional settings and ensure that evidence-based care and information reach the people who need it most.
Q: Is there interest from additional newspapers to expand this initiative more broadly across the state?
A: Yes, more newspapers are getting interested, and we hope we can reach the entire state. At this time, our partners are the Clarion, Atmore Advance, Coosa News, and Florala News.
Q: What do you hope rural women, and the communities these newspapers serve, gain from the “Strong Women… Strong Community” column over time?
A: A trusted source of information so they are better informed to take care of themselves and their families.
Final Thoughts:
Through the “Strong Women… Strong Community” column, UAB OB/GYN is expanding awareness about the most crucial information in women’s health by meeting women where they are and providing trusted, accessible health education. As the initiative continues to grow, UAB OB/GYN is devoted to providing women across Alabama with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health, no matter where they live.