HR8: HR8 State Workgroup to Increase Chronic Disease Information and Screenings in Communities of Color; support creation

25 LC 52 0616 House Resolution 8 By: Representatives Schofield of the 63rd, Davis of the 87th, Scott of the 76th, Mitchell of the 88th, and Jackson of the 68th A RESOLUTION Supporting the creation of a State Workgroup to Increase Chronic Disease Information and1 Screenings in Communities of Color; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, disparities in health outcomes are increasingly costly to the state, but are in3 large part preventable; and4 WHEREAS, people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory5 disease, blood disease, lupus, HIV, and kidney disease, require integrated and coordinated6 healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, management , and medication, from a7 variety of providers; and8 WHEREAS, patients with these and other chronic diseases and their families, caregivers, and9 employers and the health system experience a disproportionately high economic, clinical, and10 social burden; and11 WHEREAS, both the maintenance of overall well-being and managem ent of underlying12 health conditions are crucial for individuals in high-risk communities; and13 H. R. 8 - 1 - 25 LC 52 0616 WHEREAS, identifying barriers to obtaining chronic disease information and screenings is14 a first step toward breaking down these barriers; and15 WHEREAS, patients with these and other chronic diseases, partic ularly patients from16 minority populations, were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are likely to be17 disproportionately impacted by any future health crises; and18 WHEREAS, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges19 that social and economic differences often create health differences in communities of color,20 and that public health emergencies can isolate communities of c olor from necessary21 resources; and22 WHEREAS, the CDC acknowledges that COVID-19 death rates among23 black/African-American persons and Hispanic/Latino persons were substantially higher than24 the death rate among other persons; and25 WHEREAS, patients in rural communities in this state are partic ularly challenged in26 receiving adequate and appropriate health information and screenings; and27 WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to create a workgroup to increa se chronic disease28 information and screenings in communities of color.29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that30 the members of this body support:31 (1) The creation of a State Workgroup to Increase Chronic Dise ase Information and32 Screenings in Communities of Color (the Workgroup);33 H. R. 8 - 2 - 25 LC 52 0616 (2) That the Workgroup be created and overseen by the State Of fice of Rural Health34 within the Department of Community Health and the Office of Minority Health within35 the Department of Public Health;36 (3) That the Workgroup shall focus on the development of projects to increase chronic37 disease information and screenings in communities of color, inc luding the use of38 telehealth as a means to improve both;39 (4) That the Workgroup consider the development of a program for delivery of chronic40 disease information, including screening information, concurrent with administration of41 vaccinations;42 (5) That the Workgroup shall invite, to the extent possible, individuals representing all43 demographics of Georgia, and shall include invitations of participation to, at a minimum,44 the following members (a member can fill more than one role):45 (A) A representative of a patient organization that addresses chronic disease;46 (B) A representative from the Medical Association of Georgia;47 (C) A nurse educator;48 (D) A representative of the Division of Medical Assistance Pla ns within the49 Department of Community Health;50 (E) A representative from a faith based organization;51 (F) A representative of a healthcare company;52 (G) A representative from a federally qualified health center;53 (H) A representative from the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention54 and Health Promotion;55 (I) A state legislator from a district that has a significant population of minority56 constituents;57 (J) A representative of a local government consisting of a rural population;58 (K) A representative of a local government consisting of an urban population; and59 (L) A representative of a Georgia Historically Black College or University; and60 H. R. 8 - 3 - 25 LC 52 0616 (6) That the Workgroup report to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the61 Governor on the progress of the Workgroup within nine months of adoption of this62 resolution.63 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized64 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the65 State Office of Rural Health within the Department of Community Health and the Office of66 Minority Health within the Department of Public Health.67 H. R. 8 - 4 -