Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer are the leading causes of death among adults in the US. Many of these are attributed to the following lifestyle choices:
- Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Poor nutrition
- Physical inactivity
The Chronic Disease Prevention Team provides programming and supports policy, system, and environmental changes to address these risk factors and improve the health outcomes of those who live, work, and socialize in Fulton County.
Health Education
We offer a series of introductory presentations to educate residents on how to make healthy decisions regarding their eating habits, physical activity, and tobacco use. Custom seminars can be designed upon request to suit different target audiences. We currently offer the following topics:
- Healthy Eating
- Active Living
- Protecting Your Body and Community from the Dangers of Tobacco
- Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes
Find out more on how to request a health education presentation/seminar.
Health Interventions
Interventions are designed to help participants achieve specific health goals and are offered throughout the year. Contact us if you are interested in enrolling or hosting any of these programs:
Lifestyle Change Program
This CDC-approved program is offered free of charge and is designed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Participants work with a trained lifestyle coach to learn what skills are needed to make behavioral changes such as: eating healthy, getting enough physical activity, managing stress, staying motivated, and solving problems that threaten the ability to stick to these improvements.
Diabetes Self-Management & Support
Provides personalized services to help you manage diabetes.
Monthly support group sessions cover:
- Healthy eating.
- Being active.
- Taking medicine as prescribed.
- Monitoring your blood sugar levels, activity, and eating habits.
- Reducing risks to lower the chances of diabetes complications.
- Healthy coping with diabetes and emotional well-being.
- Problem solving to find solutions and take action.
For more information on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support CLICK HERE.
Healthy Heart Ambassador Program
This four-month long, CDC-approved program helps adults with high blood pressure better manage their condition by providing nutrition education and support to self-monitor blood pressure on a consistent basis. Individuals participate in group classes, as well as receive individualized coaching.
Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation
The Tobacco Use Prevention & Cessation program aims to reduce tobacco-related diseases and deaths caused by tobacco use.
The program’s initiatives include:
- Promoting the Georgia Tobacco Quitline.
- Publicizing the “Tobacco 21” campaign to prevent those under age 21 from buying and using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes.
- Providing resources and educational campaigns on the dangers of e- cigarettes and emerging tobacco products, secondhand smoke exposure, or cessation resources among youth and adults.
- Publicizing the Tobacco-Free Policy in School/College /University.
Wellness @ Work
This initiative encourages the adoption of worksite wellness practices for employees of community-based organizations and small businesses throughout Fulton County. Anyone who is interested in receiving educational information, policy guidance and implementation, or fitness equipment to jump-start or enhance their current offering to create a healthy work environment, and improve employee health outcomes should take advantage of this opportunity. Small business owners are encouraged to contact us for individualized technical assistance in worksite wellness.
Click here to view the Small Business Wellness @ Work Interest Form!
Health Ministry Program
This initiative is intended primarily for faith-based organizations to help them effectively organize and sustain an effective and impactful health ministry for church members, staff and volunteers, constituents, and community residents in Fulton County. Anyone who is interested in receiving educational information and guidance, to jump-start or enhance their current health ministry should take advantage of this opportunity. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to contact us for individualized technical assistance in Health Ministry.
Help Connecting to Healthcare or other Services
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are frontline public health workers who have earned the trust of communities. They serve to improve health, increase knowledge, connect existing resources, identify, and remove barriers to care, and increase the capacity of individuals and communities to be true partners in improving their health.
The FCBOH CHWs conduct outreach at community events, community and clinical sites. Individuals who are in need of services are referred to the appropriate organizations.
If you’re interested in accessing these services contact Malaika Knight, Community Health Worker, at malaika.knight@dph.ga.gov or 770-876-9964
Assistance Request Form
A simple referral tool used by Community Health Workers to identify individuals’ health and social service needs, collect contact information, and connect them with appropriate community resources and follow-up support.
Request Health Education or Community Event Speaker
We can provide educational material and resources on chronic disease prevention and management. If you would like to request our participation in a community event, please submit the request 60 days in advance.
Fill out and submit one of the request forms below based on your specific need. We will contact you when a determination is made. If Fulton County Board of Health is not able to provide the requested services, we may offer health literature or refer you to another organization or community partner who can help.
For more information about any of our programs and services, contact our Healthcare Program Manager, Dr. Ammy Astacio at ammy.astacio1@dph.ga.gov.
Collaboration on Policies, Systems, and Environmental Change
We know that educational programming alone is not enough to promote healthy decisions as not all populations have access to the resources that they need.
Policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change is a way of modifying the environment to make good health a reality for all community members, regardless of race, ethnicity, or income status. PSE change works to influence changes in lawmaking, shape physical landscapes to reduce toxicity, improve institutions to make healthy living easier, and tackle the root causes of health inequities. PSE change strategies promote healthy behaviors by making healthy choices readily available and easily accessible in the community.
We are available to collaborate with community members and partners on promoting PSE changes to create environments that make healthy lifestyles accessible to all residents. Invite us to your next collaborative meeting or contact us to connect on strategic approaches to help improve the lives of Fulton County residents.
For more information about any of our programs and services, contact our Healthcare Program Manager, Dr. Ammy Astacio at ammy.astacio1@dph.ga.gov.