The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments are pleased to announce their attainment of national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) on August 17, 2016. With this accreditation, the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments have undergone a rigorous peer-reviewed assessment process, meeting or exceeding numerous quality and performance standards as determined by PHAB.

“This accreditation honors our entire community and recognizes our ability to collaboratively address health issues of our time,” said the Health Director, Lloyd Hofer, M.D., M.P.H. “We are grateful for our dedicated staff and willing partners as we continue to work diligently toward a healthy, protected, and prepared community.” “Achieving PHAB accreditation means that the methods in which we provide programs and services were reviewed by peers in public health and met national standards,” said Tara Echols, M.B.A., who coordinated the health department’s accreditation efforts. “It demonstrates our commitment to quality improvement and community engagement.” The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and protecting the health of the public by advancing and ultimately transforming the quality and performance of public health departments. PHAB is jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health and healthcare for all Americans. PHAB has awarded accreditation to 151 public health agencies across the United States including two other health districts in Georgia.

The PHAB standards are based on the Ten Essential Public Health Services as set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Public Health Performance Standards Program. These essential services include:  Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems.  Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community.  Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues.  Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems.  Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.  Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.  Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.  Assure competent public and personal health care workforce.  Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.  Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems. For more information about the accreditation process visit www.phaboard.org. The Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments, in partner with the Georgia Department of Public Health, strive to protect and improve the health of those who live, work, and play in our community by monitoring and preventing disease, promoting health and well-being, and preparing for disasters. For information about the Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale County Health Departments visit www.gnrhealth.com.