Georgia needs a Cabinet-level public health agency
Georgia is at a crossroads. Fewer Georgians get vaccinations, and more of our children are overweight. More will die from cardiovascular disease and miss work for illness, all while there are fewer public health professionals in the field.
As the deans of public health programs at Emory University and the University of Georgia, it is our responsibility to properly prepare the state’s next generation of public health workers. Together, we have a combined enrollment of more than 2,500 students who will marshal the resources for a healthier Georgia in coming years.
To be sure, there is much work to be done.
Georgia perennially ranks well below the national midpoint in overall health performance. In the most recent assessment of the American Public Health Association, Georgia ranked 47th in the prevalence of infectious disease, 41st in infant mortality, 40th in cardiovascular deaths and 44th in uninsured residents. Georgia has the second-highest rate of childhood obesity, according to the Trust for America’s Health.
While these numbers are discouraging, they say nothing about Georgia’s future. And, thanks to the state’s leadership and vision last summer, there is ample hope.
The Georgia Public Health Commission, appointed by former Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and the state Legislature to evaluate the public health landscape, released its final report in December. A positive first step in reversing our downward trends would be to adopt its recommendations.
The commission believes that changing the existing structure for public health services in Georgia is a crucial step for improving the overall health of Georgians.
Currently, the state is served by a Division of Public Health that is just one of many parts that make up the Department of Community Health.
Public health, however, is an altogether different discipline. It focuses on populations rather than individuals, and it places an emphasis on awareness, engagement and prevention.
As long as the Division of Public Health remains buried in another state agency, our situation won’t improve, because there are always conflicting priorities within larger departments.
Establishing an independent Department of Public Health with its own Cabinet-level commissioner, as the report recommends, would offer the ability to move rapidly to address both persistent and emerging health issues. By enabling the department to report directly to the governor, an independent agency would streamline communications between public health officials, government leaders and the public before and during health emergencies.
In the short term, the proposed restructuring would cost very little, though, as the economy continues to improve, additional investments and resources will be necessary in the future to deliver better outcomes.
The more attention paid to preventive care in Georgia, the healthier our state will be in the long term, with significant positive fiscal implications.
One simple example: Each year, Americans miss approximately 70 million work days due to the flu, costing our nation’s employers roughly $10 billion. This is primarily because thousands of people simply don’t get a flu vaccine, despite its wide availability and affordability.
Public health serves every Georgian. All of us rely on an effective public safety system. All of us need safe food. All of us want vaccinations to be available. And all Georgians want and deserve the opportunity to enjoy long, healthy lives.
Philip L. Williams is dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia and served as chairman of the Georgia Public Health Commission.
James W. Curran is dean of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
