HR619: HR619 Minority Health Month; April 2025; encourage cholesterol screening; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives designates April 2025 as Minority Health Month, focusing on cholesterol screening as a way to prevent heart disease and stroke. It cites statistics from the CDC, the American Heart Association, and other sources showing that cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects African American and Hispanic populations, including higher rates of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The resolution does not create new law, funding, or requirements. It states that the Georgia Department of Health is urged to update the state's cardiovascular plan and run campaigns to boost cholesterol screening in April, and that health care providers are urged to follow American College of Cardiology treatment guidelines. The House directs its Clerk to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally recognizes April 2025 as Minority Health Month in Georgia to encourage cholesterol screening.
• Urges the Georgia Department of Health to update the state's cardiovascular plan and launch screening campaigns during April.
• Urges health care providers to treat cardiovascular disease patients according to American College of Cardiology guidelines.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

The resolution speaks to the Georgia Department of Health, health care providers treating cardiovascular disease, and Georgians generally, with particular attention to African American and Hispanic residents who the resolution says face higher rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

While largely symbolic, the resolution puts the Georgia House on record urging the state health department to update its cardiovascular plan and run screening campaigns, and encourages providers to follow specific treatment guidelines, which could shape public health messaging in April.

• The whereas clauses cite CDC, AHA, and academic research on cardiovascular disease rates among Black and Hispanic populations in the United States.
• The resolution notes cardiovascular disease causes more than 22,000 deaths in Georgia annually, about one in three deaths overall.
• The Georgia Department of Health is urged to update the state's cardiovascular plan and develop April screening campaigns.
• Providers are urged to follow American College of Cardiology treatment guidelines for cardiovascular disease patients.
• The operative resolving clause formally recognizes April 2025 as Minority Health Month to encourage cholesterol screening.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and press.

1. 2025-03-18House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-03-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-18House Hopper (House)

• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)Primary sponsor
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)
• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)
• Kimberly Alexander (D, HD-066)
• Rhonda Taylor (D, HD-092)

• minority health
• cholesterol screening
• cardiovascular disease
• public health awareness