Bill > HB17

This bill, known as the "Valvular Heart Health and Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention Act," authorizes the Georgia Department of Public Health to implement projects focused on increasing education, awareness, and diagnosis of valvular heart disease (a condition affecting heart valves). The department can directly implement or fund projects through grants or contracts with public or nonprofit entities, with a priority on targeting populations most impacted by the disease or addressing health disparities related to race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. These projects may include educational initiatives about risk factors and symptoms, improving diagnostic capabilities for healthcare providers, and developing surveillance programs to analyze out-of-hospital cardiac arrests related to valvular heart disease. Additionally, the department is required to collect and analyze research findings, publish best practices for healthcare providers on its website, and ensure the Georgia Composite Medical Board distributes this information annually to licensed physicians. The bill aims to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death caused by valvular heart disease and improve patient outcomes through comprehensive, coordinated efforts across state agencies.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69297