GA SR658

Recognizes April as Minority Health Month to encourage cholesterol screening, aligning with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health designation.

Highlights that cardiovascular disease accounts for more than 22,000 deaths annually in Georgia (one in three deaths) and costs more than $216 billion nationally in healthcare expenses.

Notes significant racial disparities: African Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than non-Hispanic whites, and cardiovascular disease affects 60.1% of Black males and 58.8% of Black females age 20 and older.

Urges the Georgia Department of Health to update the state's cardiovascular plan, accelerate quality improvements, and develop campaigns to increase cholesterol screening during April.

Encourages healthcare providers to treat cardiovascular disease patients in accordance with American College of Cardiology treatment guidelines, noting that 71% of high-risk hypercholesterolemia patients never achieve recommended LDL-C thresholds.