Office of Health Improvement

James T. Peoples, Executive Director
2 Peachtree Street, 38th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: (404) 463-4013
jpeoples@dch.ga.gov

The Office of Health Improvement (OHI) focuses on education, heightened awareness and network development to change the current state of health disparities in Georgia by focusing on four major health diseases: heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. These diseases affect all Georgians, but have a more profound affect on the state’s impoverished citizens. In addition to the four primary disease categories, OHI will also examine other critical health issues where there are major gaps in health prevention and education among Georgians.

OHI Fact Sheet - Updated 1/28/2009

Organization Structure

Mission: The mission of the Office of Health Improvement is to lead in the elimination of health disparities, resulting in a healthy quality of life for all Georgians.

Goals:

To provide, and facilitate the provision of, sustainable program funding and investments.
To increase disparity awareness and serve as an informational resource.
To develop and recommend appropriate policy initiatives and modifications.
To advocate for equitable access to health care.

Objectives

Raise $10 million to address health disparities over the next five years.
Collaborate with other state and private agencies to align resources that address health disparities over the next year.
Inform stakeholders throughout the state of available health disparities reduction/elimination resources over the next five years.
Increase awareness by serving as an informational resource.
Conduct a state policy analysis in the four priority health areas and Maternal and Child Health over the five years.
Convene policymakers and other stakeholders to enhance awareness of current policies and gaps; make modifications where necessary within six months of each analysis.
Develop and promote plans to reduce the number of uninsured Georgians.
Promote cultural competency in the health care delivery system.
Promote the development of primary and preventive care services, including mental health, behavioral health and oral health, in areas of greatest need.
Develop a comprehensive health literacy initiative over the next five years.

Office of Women's Health - Serves as a clearinghouse for women's health information. For more information, contact the Office of Women's Health at (404) 463-5040.

Office of Minority Health - Works to eliminate the disparity in health status between minority and non-minority populations. For more information, contact the Office of Minority Health at (404) 657-6707.

Georgia Commission on Men's Health - Recommends ways to promote the benefits of regular checkups, preventive screening tests and healthy lifestyle practices for men. For more information, call the Georgia Commission on Men's Health at (404) 656-5398 or email us.

National Health Observances