Challenges and consequences  
 

There are serious challenges and consequences that call for re-investing in and rebuilding the system:

  During a significant emergency the shortage of public health professionals “will lead to mass disruption, unavailability and degradation of care, perhaps leading to panic or civil unrest. In the event of pandemic, the medical system in Georgia will collapse due to unprecedented volume…” reported a 2006 Georgia House study committee.

Georgia historically ranks near the bottom of state-by-state rankings of overall health system performance by groups like United Health Foundation and The Commonwealth Fund.

The state’s percentage of adults who are obese and the percentage of overweight high school students are among the highest in the U.S. We rank high for the percentage of adults who do smoke – and the percentage of adults who do not exercise regularly.

Georgia has a very high percentage of adults with diabetes and a very high rate of cardiovascular deaths due to heart diseases and strokes.

Georgia is among the worst states in the nation for low birthweight babies, pre-term births, infant mortality and teen birth rate.

The prevalence of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis and AIDS in Georgia is one of the nation’s highest.

Some program reductions are penny wise and pound foolish. Deterioration and elimination of prevention programs ultimately drives up costs to private insurers and the state’s Medicaid program when avoidable illnesses or complications occur. That means fewer bread winners, lower tax revenues and more costs passed on to businesses, employees, families and communities… costs that come back to all of us.

Because of concerns like insurance costs and absenteeism, businesses are reluctant to expand or locate in states or communities with poor health systems. A deteriorating public health system hinders economic development in Georgia.