ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is proud to announce that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and transforming the quality and performance of public health departments throughout the country. DPH is one of fewer than 300 health departments that have achieved accreditation through PHAB since the organization launched in 2011.

“We are pleased to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “By continuing to improve our services and performance, we can be sure we are meeting the public health needs of all Georgians as effectively as possible. With accreditation, DPH is also demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.”

The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards by which the nation’s 3,000 public health departments can improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer- reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.

In Georgia, DPH plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. Health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

“The Georgia Department of Public Health joins the growing ranks of accredited health departments in a strong commitment to their public health mission,” said PHAB President and CEO Kaye Bender, Ph.D., RN, FAAN. “The peer-review process provides valuable feedback to inform health departments of their strengths and areas for improvement, so that they can better protect and promote the health of the people they serve.”

The national accreditation program was created collaboratively over a 10-year period by hundreds of public health practitioners working at the national, state, Tribal and local levels. Since the program’s launch in September 2011, hundreds of public health departments have applied to PHAB for accreditation, and hundreds of public health practitioners from across the nation have been trained to serve as volunteer peer site visitors for the program.