Georgia Children's Health Alliance (GCHA) is an initiative designed to streamline the activities associated with improving child health issues by fostering a culture of statewide collaboration. After looking at major child health indicators, such as those tracked by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and federal and state agencies, the data revealed that healthy births, childhood obesity, and child abuse and neglect are among the top issues facing children in Georgia. Based on their short- and long-term consequences, the number of children impacted and the level of stakeholder support, these issues have been selected as the initial focus areas for GCHA.

GCHA is positioned to become the leader in public-private partnerships that effectively address these wellness issues, with the support of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and various state agencies, as well commitments from March of Dimes Georgia Chapter, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. GCHA will develop, implement and coordinate programs and environmental strategies that engage a wide range of partners with a shared vision for a healthier Georgia.

"Though there are many groups doing excellent work to improve the health and well-being of children in Georgia, no one group has the ability to drive significant, meaningful change; statewide improvement requires a coordinated, systemic effort," said Lucy Klausner, Executive Director of GCHA.

Using a strategic business-based model, GCHA is designed to take a structured, focused and efficient approach to addressing these wellness issues. GCHA will leverage existing infrastructures to have a greater impact on child health and well-being in Georgia.

GCHA has an Executive Committee of business and community leaders from around the state and a Cabinet of experts from public and private organizations. Together, these groups will help ensure the success of GCHA.

"GCHA will give Georgia decision makers real data to support effective practices and policies to improve child health. Our children deserve the leadership and influence offered by GCHA," said Pat Willis, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia's Children.

Lead Agencies Show Strong Commitments to
Child Health

When it came to selecting the lead agencies to take on three of the top child health problems facing children in Georgia, GCHA leadership looked for strong commitments to child health and well-being.

March of Dimes Georgia Chapter has been promoting healthy births for more than 70 years. A leader in research, community service, education and advocacy, the mission of March of Dimes Georgia Chapter is to enhance the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The partnership with GCHA will help address a critical child health problem: Georgia's poor birth outcomes, which consistently rank among the bottom in the U.S. "In Georgia, 372 babies each week are born too small, too soon. The medical costs of just one premature baby could cover that of nearly a dozen healthy, full-term babies. With this reality, we can think of no greater issue than the health of our babies," said Gannon Gingrey Manning, Board Chair of March of Dimes Georgia Chapter. "March of Dimes Georgia Chapter accepts the GCHA's challenge to lead the state in coordinating a streamlined, strategic approach to increase healthy births for generations to come."

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has been investing in childhood obesity initiatives for more than a decade. A not-for-profit organization, Children's is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 16 neighborhood locations, Children's is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country. "Childhood obesity has significant health and economic consequences. Thirty-two percent of children ages 10 to 17 are overweight or obese in Georgia," said Seema Csukas, M.D., Ph.D., who serves as Medical Director of GCHA. "We have to tackle obesity as a statewide issue because Georgia's children deserve a healthy foundation for lifelong success." As part of a new strategy, Children's will work with organizations throughout the state to turn the tide on childhood obesity.

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is the only private, statewide, community-based not-for-profit organization with the sole mission of preventing child abuse and neglect in the state. Founded in 1984, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia provides training and technical assistance for program development to nearly 50 Prevent Child Abuse Georgia chartered councils statewide. "Prevent Child Abuse Georgia believes that a statewide collaboration such as GCHA will benefit all of Georgia's children and families," said DePriest Waddy, CEO of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. "We look forward to working with the Alliance to promote successful outcomes for all of Georgia's children."

Joining Forces for Data Sharing
As we have discussed, Georgia ranks poorly nationally on the majority of child health indicators. Complex demographic, social and economic factors contribute to these problems. Currently, no comprehensive child health report exists, so Georgia Division of Public Health and GCHA have partnered to lead the development of such a report. The purpose of the report is to provide comprehensive child health information for the state and to identify data gaps and opportunities for new data collection and sharing. For example, there are known gaps in childhood obesity data for Georgia. This effort requires multiple organizations working together to identify the appropriate indicators and share data. A variety of organizations will be invited to provide expert resources for content development, as well as data exchange and integration strategies. By improving the quality and understanding of child health data, these efforts will lead to an effective change in Georgia's child health status.

Development Update

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Invests in GCHA
Demonstrating a commitment to improving the health and well-being of children in Georgia, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA) has invested in the initiative's efforts to prevent childhood obesity. An industry leader, BCBSGA recognizes that healthy children are more likely to become healthy adults. "It is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia's mission to improve the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities," said Monye Connolly, President of BCBSGA. "A core focus for us is to decrease the rate of obesity, namely childhood obesity, in Georgia and GCHA provides a mechanism for achieving results, which is why we came on as a founding partner."

Georgia Child Health Review is a quarterly newsletter published by Georgia Children's Health Alliance.

Visit www.theGCHA.org for more information.