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Category: Health

  • Georgia governor candidates focus on affordability at Chamber luncheon

    Georgia governor candidates focus on affordability at Chamber luncheon

    Georgia governor candidates focus on affordability at Chamber luncheon

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 2,000 community leaders to its annual Congressional Luncheon last week.

    The speakers included Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and both candidates for governor, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson.

    The two candidates for governor harped on affordability while they spoke, particularly healthcare affordability, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.

    Bottoms, the Democratic nominee, promoted Medicaid as a cornerstone of her healthcare agenda.

    “It weakens our entire healthcare system when we don’t expand Medicaid,” she said.

    Republican Rick Jackson said that he agreed with an “intelligent” Medicaid expansion while also lowering the cost of commercial insurance.

    “I’m not gonna measure our state by how many people are on Medicaid.,” he said. “I wanna measure how many people are in commercial insurance.”

    The event also featured a panel of additional candidates running for Congress. To watch comments from each candidate, visit the Chamber’s YouTube channel.

    Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp received the 2026 Blanchard Servant Leadership Award for her efforts to combat human trafficking, promote mental health advocacy and encourage pet adoptions.

    The Georgia Chamber Corporate Citizen Award went to Cox Enterprises for its commitment to corporate responsibility, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

    Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee for Georgia governor, speaks at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon on Aug. 5, 2026. Credit: Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
    Rick Jackson, the Republican nominee for Georgia governor, speaks at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon on Aug. 5, 2026. Credit: Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
  • Senate confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as new CDC director

    Senate confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as new CDC director

    Senate confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as new CDC director

    The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday with a vote of 51-44.

    The confirmation came after nearly a year since the last permanent director was fired due to a dispute over vaccine policy with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    During her confirmation hearing, Schwartz vowed to never compromise science.

    “My sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest and evidence-based,” she said.

    At a July confirmation hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy questioned Schwartz along with other Republicans about vaccines and whether she would support their use, but in the end, Cassidy voted to advance her nomination.

    “After speaking with Dr. Schwartz again after the hearing, reviewing the transcript and speaking to those who served with her and know her well, I’m confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not,” Cassidy said on July 23.

    Most Democrats and Independents did not support the nomination over concerns that Schwartz would not uphold science against Kennedy and the Trump administration’s agenda. 

    Sen. Bernie Sanders voted against advancing her nomination in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

    “I think the American people are owed better than what President Trump has nominated,” Sanders said on July 30.

    Public health community leaders have also voiced concerns that Schwartz might bend to political pressure and fail to uphold science-based policies.

    Schwartz will step into her new role immediately.

  • AARP poll highlights top issues for Georgia’s older voters

    AARP poll highlights top issues for Georgia’s older voters

    AARP poll highlights top issues for Georgia’s older voters

    A new poll from AARP finds that older Georgia voters are highly motivated to vote this November with their top concerns being affordability of everyday items, health care and protecting social security.

    Adrion Bell, associate state director of AARP Georgia, said the issues remained constant across party lines.

    “Affordability, the cost of groceries, the cost of healthcare, cost of housing, cost of gasoline, that is all among the top concerns and issues that we feel may drive this election,” Bell said.

    While only 62% of voters under 50 rated themselves a 10 out of 10 in motivation to vote, 88% of voters 50 and over expressed the high motivation.

    Republicans lead in the polls among older voters in Georgia’s top races with 53% support for Republican Mike Collins for the Senate race. However, overall Democratic candidates lead in voter preferences in the Senate and governor’s race.

    Bell said concerns over Social Security have remained high across elections.

    “Forty-eight percent of the 50+ voters say they rely on Social Security as a major source of income but then that figure jumps to more than 65% of those voters who are 65 and older,” Bell reported.

    The poll also found that 75% of older voters worry that data centers will cause their utility bills to go up and 85% said policymakers shouldn’t let that happen.

    Older voters in Georgia are a decisive bloc of the electorate with one in eight voters over 50 being swing voters.

  • Georgia’s massive tick collection helps researchers track disease risks year-round

    Georgia’s massive tick collection helps researchers track disease risks year-round

    Georgia’s massive tick collection helps researchers track disease risks year-round

    Georgia is home to one of the world’s largest tick collections, and due to the state’s warm, humid climate, ticks are active year-round.

    The tick collection at Georgia Southern University (GSU) includes more than 1 million specimens and is used by public health officials to research and combat tick-borne diseases.

    There are three species that are commonly found on humans: the lone star tick, the American dog tick and the black-legged tick.

    Dr. Joydip Roy, the Mid-Atlantic market chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare, said understanding how ticks feed is an important first step in prevention efforts.

    “Ticks are what’s termed a vector, and they can carry various diseases due to bacteria, viruses, or protozoas, and they can transmit these to humans and cause disease,” Roy said.

    Experts recommend wearing long pants, using DEET, and doing thorough body checks after spending time outdoors.

    In Georgia, common illnesses include Rocky Mountain spotted fever, lyme disease and a red meat allergy caused by the lone star tick.

    Although most tick bites cause minor symptoms, Roy said some can be serious.

    “Most of the time there’s going to be some swelling, redness, itching, sometimes pain depending on the type. That’s kind of the local reaction. And every insect bite or sting is different from person to person,” Roy said.

    GSU is offering its annual tick workshop this summer to inform the public about the tiny parasites.

  • Georgia health experts warn heat can affect medications

    Georgia health experts warn heat can affect medications

    Georgia health experts warn heat can affect medications

    With temperatures continuing to rise in Georgia, health professionals are warning those taking medications to be aware of how their medications interact with the heat.

    Certain drugs can impact your body’s ability to regulate temperature and reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

    “There are some common medications for the heart and for blood pressure,” Andrew Wilson of Dunwoody Pharmacy told CBS News Atlanta. “One that we see a lot of times is beta blockers. If you take a beta blocker, it could reduce your ability to sweat in extreme temperatures. If you can’t sweat, then you can’t cool down your body, so taking that drug would prevent you from cooling down from the heat.”

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list other medications that can increase heat-related injuries, such as high blood pressure medicine, diuretics, anticholinergic agents, and certain psychotropic medications.

    Dr. Sujatha Reddy with Northside Hospital told CBS News Atlanta that common medicines like antibiotics can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

    “The best thing to do to protect yourself against any medication sensitivity, or what we call photosensitivity, is to use the same precautions we should all use as far as preventing sunburn and preventing skin cancer,” Reddy said.

    Medications should not be left in a hot car because the heat can degrade the effectiveness of the medication or even produce another harmful chemical. If you need to travel with your medication, store it in an insulated thermal cup with a small ice pack.

  • Wellstar opens new NICU, transfers 44 babies to new unit

    Wellstar opens new NICU, transfers 44 babies to new unit

    Wellstar opens new NICU, transfers 44 babies to new unit

    A new neonatal intensive care unit has welcomed 44 babies through a carefully coordinated move.

    Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center recently opened a 49-bed NICU as part of its nine-story, 300,000-square-foot Yellow Tower, a $400 million investment. 

    More than 100 doctors, nurses and caregivers helped transfer the 44 infants to their new, temporary home.

    The new unit was built with families in mind with private patient spaces, advanced monitoring technology and six couplet care rooms that allow mothers and babies receiving care to remain together.

    The NICU also includes a milk lab, which prepares fortified human milk, donor milk and prescribed formulas so that babies receive precise nutrition.

    “It’s a lot more open, has a lot more technology, a lot more space for them to care for their baby,” said Dr. Shay Evans, a neonatologist who helped lead the transition.

    A team of medical professionals moved the babies to the new unit while another team waited for their arrival to reconnect oxygen, monitors and other medical equipment before moving on to the next room.

  • Georgia ranks 49th in national healthcare report

    Georgia ranks 49th in national healthcare report

    Georgia ranks 49th in national healthcare report

    Georgia ranks near the bottom of a new national report of healthcare systems. 

    WalletHub’s 2026 report ranked Georgia 49th overall in health care. The report compares healthcare costs, access and outcomes across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

    Georgia placed 37th in healthcare cost, 49th for access and 43rd for outcomes.

    Chip Lupo, a WallerHub analyst, said the best healthcare systems balance affordability with quality and accessibility.

    “The best states for healthcare are those that make high-quality care affordable, on top of providing many options for doctors and making insurance easily accessible,” Lupo said.

    Georgia beat Mississippi, which placed 50th overall, and Alaska, which placed 51st. New Hampshire secured the top spot followed by Minnesota and Iowa.

    Here are more Georgia rankings:

    • 22nd for average monthly insurance premiums
    • 2nd for hospital beds per capita
    • 42nd for physicians per capita
    • 46th for dentists per capita
    • 49th for the percentage of insured adults
    • 42nd for the percentage of insured children

    Best & Worst States for Healthcare

    Source: WalletHub

  • Greenhouse-grown produce gains attention as Cyclospora investigation continues

    Greenhouse-grown produce gains attention as Cyclospora investigation continues

    Greenhouse-grown produce gains attention as Cyclospora investigation continues

    As health officials continue investigating a multistate Cyclospora outbreak, greenhouse growers say controlled indoor farming can reduce some of the contamination risks associated with fresh produce.

    GPB reports Cyclospora is a parasite spread through human fecal contamination, most often when polluted water comes into contact with fruits and vegetables. Because leafy greens like lettuce grow close to the ground, they can be especially vulnerable in traditional outdoor farming environments.

    Steve Bradley, president of Cox Farms, said greenhouse operations use hydroponic systems that grow crops in nutrient-rich water instead of soil. He said the controlled environment limits exposure to surface water, wildlife and unnecessary human contact, reducing opportunities for contamination.

    Health experts caution that investigators have not identified a single food responsible for the current outbreak. According to GPB, tracing Cyclospora is difficult because symptoms can take days or even weeks to appear, making it challenging to connect illnesses to a specific product. Unlike many foodborne illnesses that resolve on their own, Cyclospora infections often require prescription treatment and can last for months if left untreated.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 1,600 laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infections have been reported in 34 states since the beginning of May, with thousands of additional reports still under review. Officials believe the actual number of infections is likely higher.

    Bradley said greenhouse facilities also allow growers to quickly trace produce back to individual locations if contamination is detected, making recalls more targeted and efficient.

  • Federal investigation finds safety failures fueled catastrophic BioLab fire in Conyers

    Federal investigation finds safety failures fueled catastrophic BioLab fire in Conyers

    Federal investigation finds safety failures fueled catastrophic BioLab fire in Conyers

    A federal investigation has concluded that long-standing maintenance failures and unsafe chemical storage practices led to the massive BioLab fire that blanketed parts of Rockdale County in toxic smoke nearly two years ago.

    The final report from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board found the Conyers facility was storing approximately 14 million pounds of reactive pool treatment chemicals, more than double the amount originally anticipated for the warehouse. Investigators said the volume of chemicals, combined with deteriorating fire suppression equipment, created conditions that allowed a small equipment failure to escalate into a major industrial disaster.

    According to the board, chlorine gases released by the stored chemicals gradually corroded the warehouse’s sprinkler system over several years. Moisture in the building reacted with the fumes to form hydrochloric acid, damaging metal components designed to control fires.

    A routine inspection in late 2023 documented more than 1,100 corroded sprinkler heads, but the system remained in service.

    When a corroded sprinkler fitting failed on Sept. 29, 2024, water reached incompatible chemicals, triggering a powerful chemical reaction. The resulting fire released toxic gases and thick orange-and-black smoke, forcing thousands of residents to shelter in place as emergency crews worked to contain the blaze.

    Chemical Safety Board Chair Steve Owens said the warehouse lacked adequate safeguards for the amount of hazardous material being stored. He also said the way the chemical bags were stacked limited firefighters’ ability to stop the incident before it spread throughout the facility.

    The board is urging federal regulators to expand oversight of reactive pool chemicals to help prevent similar incidents.

    BioLab, a manufacturer of pool and spa treatment products and a subsidiary of KIK Consumer Products, said it is reviewing the investigation’s findings. The company said it fully cooperated with investigators, has completed cleanup of the property, and established programs to assist nearby residents and businesses affected by the fire.

    The company previously announced it would not reopen the Conyers plant. Separate from the federal investigation, the U.S. Department of Labor cited BioLab for six workplace safety violations and proposed more than $60,000 in penalties.

  • Atlanta nonprofit helps mothers navigate life after childbirth

    Atlanta nonprofit helps mothers navigate life after childbirth

    Atlanta nonprofit helps mothers navigate life after childbirth

    After struggling with postpartum anxiety following the birth of her children, an Atlanta mother is working to ensure other women don’t have to navigate the transition to parenthood alone.

    Melissa Fernandez, a mother of three, founded Atlanta Postpartum Doula after realizing many new mothers lack the support they need once they bring their babies home. She said becoming a parent meant adjusting to far more than sleepless nights.

    Before having children, Fernandez performed as a Cirque du Soleil acrobat. She said motherhood brought unexpected changes, including the loss of her career, daily routine and sense of identity.

    Those experiences inspired her to create a business focused on caring for mothers as they recover from childbirth. The agency’s most requested services include overnight and daytime postpartum doulas who help care for newborns while supporting mothers during the early weeks after delivery. The organization also offers meal delivery services to help ease the demands of new parenthood.

    July is Postpartum Changes Awareness Month, a reminder that recovery after childbirth includes both physical and emotional changes. According to the Emory University School of Medicine, postpartum depression affects about one in seven women after giving birth.

    Another resource available to Georgia families is Peace for Moms, an Emory University School of Medicine program that connects health care providers with psychiatrists specializing in perinatal mental health.

    Mental health experts say postpartum depression and anxiety are treatable, and they encourage mothers to seek help early if they experience symptoms after childbirth.