The Health Disparities Program ...

The Georgia Department of Community Health has recently issued its first “report card” on disparities in minority health outcomes. The report concludes that Fulton County is one of 16 counties in the state with the “greatest health needs.” Based on “years of potential life lost” under the age of 75, Fulton County earned an “F” failing grade when it comes to mortality disparity rates. 

In addition to the mortality study, the report, titled “Health Disparities Report 2008: A County-Level look at Health Outcomes for Minorities in Georgia,” reports other findings in other key categories
including: Social and Economic indicators (social determinants); Illness Events; Birth Outcomes;
Health Care Access; Mental Health Care Access; Dental Health Care Access; and Health Insurance
Coverage.

“It is clear that although Fulton County has made a significant financial commitment to the elimination of health disparities, much work remains to be done,” stated Commissioner Darnell.
“I look forward to a review of the recommendations of the County Manager and County health officials in this important area.”  For more information, and to read the full reports on Health Disparity Issues you may visit the following links:

• 6-22-10: (New) Adamsville Community Health Center Land Purchased

  A four-acre tract of land near the Adamsville Health Center, 3712 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive will be purchased for the location of the (New) Adamsville Community Health Center.  In June, 2009 a feasibility study conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services disclosed significant disparities between the health status of Adamsville residents and the health status of Fulton County residents as a whole.  The Adamsville Project is based upon a philosophy of public health, called “Common Ground” which seeks to reduce health disparities by the delivery of quality primary care, behavioral (mental) health care, workforce development, library services, and health education services at a single location.

   

  Other “one-stop” Common Ground projects scheduled or in progress include the Neighborhood Union Community Health Center, District, 5 & 6 and the (New) North Fulton Community Health Center, Districts 3 & 4.

   

  Click here for the “Adamsville Regional Health Center, Health Statistics”; Proposed Services; and Proposed Site Data

   

• 5-10-10: Adamsville Health Center Community Meeting

  A Community Meeting to inform residents of Fulton County about the new “Adamsville Health Center” was held on April 29, 2010.  Residents were given updates on the progress of the new Health Center as well as the health status of the Adamsville area.  Some additional "core services" will include Primary Care, Workforce Development (Jobs), Housing and Behavioral Health (Mental Health) Services. "Specialty Services" will include Diabetes (Endocrinology) and Asthma (Pulmonologist) Services.  

   

  Click here for the “Adamsville Health Center Health Status and Demographic Data”, “and the “New Adamsville Regional Health Center Community Forum Information”.

   

• 4-7-10: "Adamsville Regional Health Center (Construction) Project Scheduled"

  The Adamsville Regional Health Center has been scheduled for construction, July 2010. Land acquisition activities are in progress and have been scheduled for completion in May.

   

  Based upon an extensive community health assessment process conducted in 2008 - 2009,

  the Project is a "One - stop Integrated Call Center" with 25,000 to 30,000 square feet of

  space. Additional "core services" will include Primary Care, Workforce Development (Jobs), Housing and Behavioral Health (Mental Health) Services. "Specialty Services" will include Diabetes (Endocrinology) and Asthma (Pulmonologist) Services.

   

  The "One- Stop" Neighborhood Health Center Project" is based upon the findings of public health officials that the health status of an individual is determined by both internal - diet, exercise, etc. and external - unemployment, housing, transportation, etc. factors.

   

  The Project is also designed to reduce the (high) rate of health disparities in Fulton County by improving access to care.

   

  Click here for the "Adamsville Regional Health Center Status Report, April 7, 2010

   

• 2-2-10: "Food Service (Restaurant) Closure List, January 2010"

  Available for view is the “Food Service Establishment Closure List” by the Environmental Health Services Division for January, 2010. The list includes the establishment name, address, type of closure, incident/violation(s)/justification for closures, type of closure, applicable code section, initial and final scores where applicable, corrective active, resolution, dates of inspections, and number of inspections per incident. As indicated in the chart, all establishment closures were due to either various violations detected during inspections requiring closure or to non-payment of required permit fees.

   

  Click here for the "Food Service (Restaurant) Closure List, January 2010"

   

• 2-2-10: Adamsville Regional Health Center "2010 Service Highlights"

  - Health Centers (Adamsville and North Service Regional Health Centers)

  - Replace Government Center chillers

  - Upgrade County AMS financial system

  - Answer 145,000+ citizen telephone calls

  - Respond to 11,000+ fire and EMS calls

  - Maintain 556 miles of paved roads

   

• 1-29-10: FY’10 General Fund Budget: Department of Health and Human Services; (New) “One-Stop” Adamsville Regional Health Center funds approved ($5 million)

• 1-5-10: Budget Commission Recommends Cuts in Funding to Non-Profit Agencies

  The Budget Commission has recommended a substantial cut in funds to non-profit agencies providing assistance to at-risk youth, senior adults, homeless and disabled residents of Fulton County.  On December 2, by Resolution, the Board of Commissioners established services to “special populations” such as at-risk youth as a major Budget priority.  Public hearings on the FY 2010 Tentative Budget will be held January 6 and January 20 at the Fulton County Government Center, 141 Pryor Street, Assembly Hall, at 10:00am.  Speakers will be scheduled in the order of registration.

• 7-8-09: Edited Interview with Dr. Camara Jones

• 7-8-09: Health Disparities Reports: Fulton County Minority Health Report Card

• 7-8-09: Adamsville Center Feasibility Study; Health Status Data and Related Material

• 7-08-09: Rob Stein. "Racial Disparity in Cancer Survival". Washington Post, July 8, 2009

• 5-14-09: Senior University Day:  Dr. Camara Phyllis Jones, Keynote Speaker on Health Disparities

• 4-23-09: Common Ground Event Calendar 2009

• 4-23-09: Primary Care Lite: Need a Doctor?

• 4-23-09: Neighborhood Union Health Center Information

• 4-21-09: The Fulton Family Care Network Information

• 4-2-09: The Health Disparities Report

• 4-2-09: The Common Ground Project

• “Is the doctor in?”  Fulton scores low in Health Disparities Study

• 3-24-09: King County Equity & Social Justice Initiative, Working toward fairness and opportunity for all

• Creating a Healthy Community: The Role of Counties in Reducing Health Disparities

• HIV/AIDS among African-Americans

• Resolution Establishing the Policy of the Board of Commissioners Regarding a Fulton County Health Initiative (To Reduce Health Disparities)