DCH Unveils Partnership with Georgia Public Library Service Partnership to Educate All Georgians about New Tool to Compare Health Care

Atlanta - ­ Today, Dr. Rhonda Medows, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) announced a partnership with the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) that will promote georgiahealthinfo.gov to Georgians across the state. The partnership announcement kicks off DCH's statewide grassroots educational campaign to promote the new Web site.

"Patients are increasingly engaged in their total health care experience ­ from education to treatment," said Dr. Medows. "The partnership with GPLS and Georgia's 61 county and regional library systems allows us to promote that all Georgians are aware of the availability of this powerful, patient-centric tool that will assist them in planning for their non-emergency health care needs."

GPLS has worked with DCH to educate librarians about the availability of georgiahealthinfo.gov by providing them with a Web site User Guide and highlighting the Web site's major features. Georgiahealthinfo.gov educational materials will be made available to the public at as many as 385 participating library facilities across 159 counties.

"Georgia's libraries enhance the overall quality of life of local communities and the state by providing citizens with access to needed educational and technological resources that may otherwise not be available," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, State Librarian. "With the recent rise in library usage across the state, the state's public libraries are the perfect venues to help educate the public about georgiahealthinfo.gov."

This partnership announcement is being made in conjunction with Governor Perdue's signing of a proclamation that declares February as Wise Health Consumer Month.  Wise Health Consumer Month is a national effort that was created by American Institute of Preventive Medicine to increase awareness around the importance of choosing quality health care services.

Other promotional efforts around georgiahealthinfo.gov include:

• monthly e-newsletter with accompanying podcast,
• placement of editorials in health care related publications; and
• distribution of educational materials available at health care events and facilities across the state.

To learn more about the Web site, visit georgiahealthinfo.gov.