The Coastal Health District of Georgia serves the counties of Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long & McIntosh

Epidemiology

Coastal Health District epidemiologists monitor the health of our communities. They investigate any outbreaks of illness and alert health officials so steps can be taken to prevent the spread of illness and disease. They also track chronic diseases, such as diabetes, to give an accurate picture of our overall health as officials decide which issues need to be addressed.

Epidemiologists manage all the health data and statistics for the Coastal Health District and its eight counties, keeping health officials informed of disease trends and health threats. They monitor HIV, STDs, influenza, tuberculosis, vaccine-preventable diseases, outbreaks, maternal and child health indicators, and quality of life indicators, among other things.

Epidemiologists function as front-line disease detectives working with their local communities to investigate outbreaks and provide assistance to prevent and control the spread of disease. If an outbreak occurs, epidemiologists investigate, track the source when possible, and notify those who could be at risk for infection. You may also see epidemiologists in your school, church, or at your community meeting providing health education and teaching the community how to prevent diseases.

Disease Reporting
All Georgia physicians, laboratories, and other health care providers are required by law to report patients with certain conditions. Both lab-confirmed and clinical diagnoses are reportable within a specified time period under Notifiable Disease Reporting Requirements. Disease reporting helps identify outbreaks so that they can be addressed.

Information for Health Professionals
For more information about the diseases epidemiologists monitor, statistics, or resources for health professionals, visit our Information for Health Professionals page.

Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition
The Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition is pleased to provide a source for reliable community health and population data for Chatham County.
This tool provides users with information to improve health and quality of life in their community. The Coalition hopes that community members and organizations look to this platform as a rich source of data and information about their community. Click HERE to access community data and resources.