HR 8: State Workgroup to Increase Chronic Disease Information and Screenings in Communities of Color; support creation

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 and Screenings in Communities of Color; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, disparities in health outcomes are increasingly costly to the state, but are in large part preventable; and

WHEREAS, people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, blood disease, lupus, HIV, and kidney disease, require integrated and coordinated healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, management, and medication, from a variety of providers; and

WHEREAS, patients with these and other chronic diseases and their families, caregivers, and employers and the health system experience a disproportionately high economic, clinical, and social burden; and

WHEREAS, both the maintenance of overall well-being and management of underlying health conditions are crucial for individuals in high-risk communities; and

WHEREAS, identifying barriers to obtaining chronic disease information and screenings is a first step toward breaking down these barriers; and

WHEREAS, patients with these and other chronic diseases, particularly patients from minority populations, were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are likely to be disproportionately impacted by any future health crises; and

WHEREAS, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges that social and economic differences often create health differences in communities of color, and that public health emergencies can isolate communities of color from necessary resources; and

WHEREAS, the CDC acknowledges that COVID-19 death rates among black/African-American persons and Hispanic/Latino persons were substantially higher than the death rate among other persons; and

WHEREAS, patients in rural communities in this state are particularly challenged in receiving adequate and appropriate health information and screenings; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to create a workgroup to increase chronic disease information and screenings in communities of color.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body support:

(1) The creation of a State Workgroup to Increase Chronic Disease Information and Screenings in Communities of Color (the Workgroup);

(2) That the Workgroup be created and overseen by the State Office of Rural Health within the Department of Community Health and the Office of Minority Health within the Department of Public Health;

(3) That the Workgroup shall focus on the development of projects to increase chronic disease information and screenings in communities of color, including the use of telehealth as a means to improve both;

(4) That the Workgroup consider the development of a program for delivery of chronic disease information, including screening information, concurrent with administration of vaccinations;

(5) That the Workgroup shall invite, to the extent possible, individuals representing all demographics of Georgia, and shall include invitations of participation to, at a minimum, the following members (a member can fill more than one role):

(A) A representative of a patient organization that addresses chronic disease;

(B) A representative from the Medical Association of Georgia;

(C) A nurse educator;

(D) A representative of the Division of Medical Assistance Plans within the Department of Community Health;

(E) A representative from a faith based organization;

(F) A representative of a healthcare company;

(G) A representative from a federally qualified health center;

(H) A representative from the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion;

(I) A state legislator from a district that has a significant population of minority constituents;

(J) A representative of a local government consisting of a rural population;

(K) A representative of a local government consisting of an urban population; and

(L) A representative of a Georgia Historically Black College or University; and

(6) That the Workgroup report to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Governor on the progress of the Workgroup within nine months of adoption of this resolution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the State Office of Rural Health within the Department of Community Health and the Office of Minority Health within the Department of Public Health.