Commentary: Child obesity an urgent issue

Childhood obesity was a concern in Georgia even before the pandemic. It undoubtedly got worse after COVID-19 hit, as children and teenagers shifted into more sedentary behavior. In a new GHN Commentary, Jennifer Owens of HealthMPowers and Debbie Kibbe of the Georgia Health Policy Center emphasize that the state can’t just “tread water’’ on dealing…

What’s preventing Georgia Medicaid kids getting referrals to care?

Compared with other states, Georgia has a stunningly low rate of referring poor children to specialty services under Medicaid, according to a recently released report. The health screenings of Medicaid kids and the subsequent “corrective treatments’’ are required under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) program. The goal of EPSDT is to…

Respiratory infection RSV surges in South as mask use, distancing decline

Doctors in Georgia and other Southern states have seen since April an unusual surge of a common respiratory virus that affects children and older adults. The spike in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at this time of year is linked, at least in part, to children and others no longer widely wearing masks or…

Women in many rural counties are having to drive long distances to deliver their babies.

Commentary: Helping pregnant workers 

Georgia is among 20 states that does not have a policy guaranteeing reasonable workplace accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth. That means pregnant workers who simply need a stool to sit on, drinking water to stay hydrated, or temporary relief from heavy lifting are vulnerable to termination, says Amber Mack in a new GHN Commentary. Lawmakers…

Protect pregnant workers and those with new babies

By Amber Mack The federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 1065) passed the U.S. House on May 14 by a vote of 315-101. This is an important measure that Georgia’s pregnant and postpartum employees need to thrive in safe working environments. To date, 30 U.S. states have instituted legislation to ensure working women are protected…

Poisoning peril: More kids ingesting hand sanitizer

As COVID-19 spread last year, sales of hand sanitizers skyrocketed, with consumers and businesses trying to prevent infection. Also soaring were sanitizer-related calls to the Georgia Poison Center. Here and nationally, more kids than usual have been ingesting these fluids, which are typically alcohol-based. The state saw a 60 percent increase in poisoning calls related…

How COVID and poverty have ravaged rural Georgia

It’s not just the actual infections that have altered the medical landscape in Cook County. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced many more people with depression and anxiety, says Dr. Jairaj Goberdhan, a family physician in the South Georgia county. “I have written more prescriptions for that,’’ he says, adding, “I have written more sleep aid…

CDC study of COVID in Marietta schools supports case for vaccinating teachers

A CDC study of COVID cases in Marietta City Schools, whose results were published Monday, found that educators played a major role in recent school outbreaks there. The researchers concluded that vaccinations of teachers, along with school mitigation measures, “is a critical component of preventing in-school transmission.’’ Vaccination of teachers has become a high-profile topic…

Georgia lawmakers weigh ‘express lane’ for many uninsured kids to get Medicaid

Tens of thousands of uninsured Georgia children could gain a pathway to health coverage under a House bill moving through the General Assembly. The legislation, if approved, would lead to the state creating “express lane eligibility’’ for many kids receiving food stamps to be automatically added to the Medicaid program. About 7 percent of children…

State is years behind in reporting on Medicaid program quality

By Rebecca Grapevine  Federal law requires states to update their plans for improving Medicaid health care quality at least every three years. Georgia, however, published its most recent quality plan in February 2016. It’s at least two years out of date. The guidelines aim to ensure members in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (known…