Southeastern states got poor grades last year in a report card on their rates of premature births, with Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana earning F’s. Georgia scored a D, coming in 45th among states in the “preterm” birth report card, based on 2009 data presented by the March of Dimes. According to the most recent data, though,…
Atlanta is the home of a new autism “center of excellence,’’ thanks to a federal grant of more than $8.3 million to Emory University. The funding from the National Institutes of Health will launch a collaborative research initiative involving the Marcus Autism Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Department of Pediatrics at Emory School…
Medicine for hemophilia. Screenings for breast and cervical cancer. Caring for critically ill pregnant women. Patient advocates and medical groups urged the state to sustain or boost funding for these programs and many others, as the Department of Public Health’s board held a hearing Tuesday seeking public input on possible budget cuts. No one spoke…
State officials say proposed budget cuts to Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare would total $170 million in state funds through the next fiscal year. And with the matching federal funds generated by that state spending, the reductions would have a more than $500 million impact on the two health insurance programs. The cuts would come on…
The health reform law has spawned many new terms related to its provisions, such as ‘‘individual mandate’’ and ‘’health insurance exchanges.’’ Here’s another one: ‘‘essential health benefits.’’ The Affordable Care Act requires all insurance plans to offer a comprehensive set of benefits starting in 2014. States are allowed to choose a benchmark plan that would…
A 9-year-old girl in rural Georgia discloses the unthinkable: sexual abuse by her stepfather. The case is referred to police and local child welfare officials, who contact the Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children. A doctor soon conducts a physical examination and speaks with the child. What makes this story different is…
The state’s Medicaid agency has a projected $300 million hole to fill in next year’s budget. If the shortfall remains at that level, the financial request to the General Assembly in January will be ‘‘very high’’ from a historical perspective, said Vince Harris, chief financial officer of the Department of Community Health, after the agency’s board…
When fifth-grader Trevor Nelson arrives at school, he doesn’t linger in the halls or go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Every other morning, he heads for the gym. “I just love to run,” said Trevor, “so I figured I’d do this.” From 7:15 to 7:45 a.m., members of Yargo Elementary School’s fifth-grade running club sprint,…
Lucia Pawloski’s son Lucas is known as the Nutritionist. At 5 years old, Lucas tells his family which vitamins are in fruits and vegetables. Lucas and his brother understand that “eating nutritious meals will help their body, mind and development,” said Pawloski, who is on the Decatur Farm to School Committee. Her family is just…
Gov. Nathan Deal announced a major statewide initiative Wednesday to address the problem of obesity, calling it “one of the greatest challenges we face.’’ The obesity program would combine efforts of state agencies, businesses, health care organizations, the philanthropic community, and Atlanta professional sports teams, Deal said. The initiative’s goals include promoting more physical activity…