The H.A.L.T. Tuberculosis Awareness Program

The state of Georgia ranks 6th in the US in TB case rates with 536 TB cases reported in 2004. African Americans make up 28% of the population in Georgia but accounted for 58% of the TB cases reported in 2004.

In 2002, CDC selected the Georgia TB Program as one of three pilot sites for a project focused on TB elimination in African Americans. The project started with focus groups with individuals from the community and a needs assessment. Data from this assessment ultimately supported the belief that increased TB education and awareness was needed in the African-American communities. In 2005, DHR launched a TB public awareness campaign in Fulton County.

The campaign strategies include a grass-roots outreach and a mass media component. The primary message of the campaign is: H.A.L.T. (Hear, Act, Learn, Treat) Tuberculosis.

• Knowledge gaps on TB transmission, prevention, disease progression, symptoms
• and available services in groups at risk for TB
• Delayed health care seeking
• Fear of doctors and the TB skin test
• Lack of TB information in homeless shelters

An eye-catching logo and slogan (HALT-TB – short for Hear, Act, Learn, and Treat TB) for campaign print materials was developed and used on palm cards for distribution by street teams in high TB incidence neighborhoods and public housing communities. Fact sheets and posters were developed to distribute to clinics, shelters, jails, and other congregate settings.

A World TB Day event was held at a mall in a high incidence zip code where coalition members volunteered to distribute print materials, sponsor WTBD display booths, and educate their constituents about TB. Homeless survival kits (backpack, blanket, hat, socks, medicine tote and water bottle) with the campaign logo were distributed. There were radio and TV talk show interviews with TB program staff, media alerts, and bylined articles, letters to the editor, radio public service announcements and a news release.

Additional strategies include the distribution of posters for placement on transit billboards and park benches in various locations. Future plans include brochures and DVD videos for clinics and shelters.

For more information, contact the Georgia TB program at 404-657-2634 by email (1.800.georgia or 678.georgia) or Fulton County Health and Wellness Center.