Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., DPH Commissioner

Think about this for a minute. Since 1900, life expectancy for Americans has increased by 30 years. CDC estimates that 83 percent of those increased years have been due to public health efforts. That's quite an achievement! It is also a good reminder for all of us as we deal with rising health care costs that the dramatic achievements of public health such as clean water, immunizations and preventive measures promoting healthy living have increased our quality of life at a fraction of the cost of clinical care.

April 1-7 is National Public Health Week, and I invite you to celebrate with me. During this week, when you go to a restaurant or drive by one, think of the public health worker who has done the inspection there to make sure the food is safe. If you see a baby, think of the 28 newborn tests the Georgia Public Health Lab has done to protect his life. When you take a breath in Atlanta, consider that public health has been testing that air for bioterrorism agents. And when you turn on the water in your home, consider all the public health efforts to make sure that water is clean and safe.   

In the last decade, new vaccines have been introduced and the CDC estimates that each new group of completed childhood immunizations prevents 42,000 deaths and 20 million cases of disease in this country. The CDC also estimates that expanded newborn screenings in the last decade have led to earlier treatment for at least 3,400 babies each year. There has been a steep decline in children with abnormal blood lead levels because of screening and comprehensive lead poisoning prevention laws.

Public health screening and epidemiology work has led to a 30 percent reduction in tuberculosis (TB) cases in the U.S. After the terrorist activities of 2001, there was much work and tremendous improvement made in the nation's ability to respond to public health threats.   

We still have much to do in Georgia. We are currently concentrating on childhood obesity, infant mortality, increasing immunization rates and decreasing smoking rates. The Georgia Department of Public Health is determined to protect the lives of Georgians and improve the health of those across our great state. This week, National Public Health Week, please pause to celebrate public health achievements. 

For those reading this letter who work for public health, a sincere thank you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to make every Georgian safe and healthy. For those of you that benefit from the work of those in public health, please make a special effort this week to thank a public health nurse, an environmental health expert, epidemiologist, nutritionist, doctor, laboratorian or support person. If you like, you can leave a note at askdph@dhr.state.ga.us. 

Happy Public Health Week! 

With best wishes for your health,

Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D.