--- title: SR 290. Risk Assessment; culturally competent risk assessment tools; targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions; recognize the need collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr290 cite_as: SR 290, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr290 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr290.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr290/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70905 date: 2025-02-27 status: introduced corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr289.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr291.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 95 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr290.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 290 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-02-26 last_action: Senate Read and Referred sponsors: - Nabilah Islam Parkes - Harold Jones - Kim Jackson - Derek Mallow - Jason Esteves - Nan Orrock - Sonya Halpern - Kenya Wicks - Sally Harrell - Elena Parent - Nikki Merritt - Freddie Sims - Emanuel Jones - Josh McLaurin - Donzella James - Shawn Still - Sheikh Rahman - Ed Harbison - David Lucas - Randal Mangham - RaShaun Kemp text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR290/2025 upstream_id: 1986191 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - heart disease - public health - South Asian Americans - health disparities - cardiovascular risk --- # SR 290. Risk Assessment; culturally competent risk assessment tools; targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions; recognize the need ## Text Senate Resolution 290 By: Senators Islam Parkes of the 7th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Mallow of the 2nd, Esteves of the 35th and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing the need for culturally competent risk assessment tools, targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, South Asian Americans are disproportionately affected by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), commonly known as heart disease, which manifests earlier in life, often before the age of 50, and in a more aggressive manner than in other populations; and WHEREAS, this increased risk of ASCVD is closely linked to a higher prevalence of type-2 diabetes among South Asian Americans, underscoring the urgent need for targeted research and intervention within the State of Georgia; and WHEREAS, risk assessment plays a fundamental role in reducing the incidence of heart disease, yet existing risk assessment algorithms are not developed based on data from South Asian Americans, failing to differentiate between native and migrant populations and masking critical health disparities among South Asian subgroups; and WHEREAS, the absence of population-specific risk assessment tools results in inaccurate estimations of cardiovascular disease risk for South Asian Americans, leading to gaps in prevention, early detection, and treatment; and WHEREAS, it is essential to develop and implement appropriate screening and management strategies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in South Asian Americans, taking into account hereditary predisposition, established coronary risk factors, and the impact of lifestyle choices such as diet and physical activity; and WHEREAS, there is a demonstrable need for structured interventions at the state level to promote increased physical activity, encourage healthier dietary habits, and advance early recognition tools to improve cardiovascular outcomes for South Asian Americans; and WHEREAS, improved standards of care, including the incorporation of advanced imaging and other diagnostic tools, are necessary to enhance the identification and management of heart disease within the South Asian American community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize the urgent need for culturally competent risk assessment tools, targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions to improve outcomes and save lives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the press. ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes heart disease risk among South Asian Americans and calls for culturally tailored screening tools and public health efforts, without creating new programs or funding. ### Plain-language summary This resolution addresses concerns about heart disease, specifically atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (a buildup of plaque in the arteries), among South Asian Americans in Georgia. It states that this group faces earlier and more aggressive heart disease, tied to higher rates of type 2 diabetes, and that current risk assessment tools were not built using data from South Asian populations, which can lead to inaccurate risk estimates and gaps in prevention and treatment. The resolution formally states that the Senate recognizes the need for culturally competent risk assessment tools, targeted public health initiatives, and better healthcare interventions for this community. It does not create any new law, program, or funding. Its only other operative instruction is that the Secretary of the Senate make copies available to the public and the press. ### What it does - Formally states the Senate's recognition of the need for culturally competent risk assessment tools for South Asian American cardiovascular health. - Declares support for targeted public health initiatives and enhanced healthcare interventions aimed at this community. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. - Does not establish any new state program, funding, mandate, or change to Georgia law. ### Who it affects The resolution's language centers on South Asian Americans in Georgia, particularly regarding cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk. It also references healthcare providers and public health efforts that might develop screening tools, though the resolution itself imposes no obligations on them. ### Why it matters Because this is a resolution rather than a law, it carries no legal requirements or funding. Its practical effect is limited to putting the Senate's position on record, which could influence future legislation, research priorities, or public health attention to heart disease risk in South Asian American communities. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe elevated and earlier-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk among South Asian Americans, linked to higher rates of type 2 diabetes. - The whereas clauses state that existing cardiovascular risk assessment algorithms are not based on South Asian American data and can mask health disparities. - The resolved clause has the Senate recognize the need for culturally competent risk assessment tools, targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions. - A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press. ## Status - Status: Introduced (2025-02-26) - Last action: Senate Read and Referred (2025-02-27) - Sponsors: Nabilah Islam Parkes, Harold Jones, Kim Jackson, Derek Mallow, Jason Esteves, Nan Orrock, Sonya Halpern, Kenya Wicks, Sally Harrell, Elena Parent, Nikki Merritt, Freddie Sims, Emanuel Jones, Josh McLaurin, Donzella James, Shawn Still, Sheikh Rahman, Ed Harbison, David Lucas, Randal Mangham, RaShaun Kemp - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70905 > The history, votes, and amendments (95 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr290.md?full=1