Fayette County Commissioner David Barlow has recently been unanimously elected to serve as vice chairman of the Georgia Public Health Association.
The Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) is a non-profit corporation comprised of a large group of public health professions who promote the public and personal health of Georgia’s citizens.
The GPHA also assists the numerous health boards throughout the state.
Barlow represents the Board of Commissioners as a member of the Fayette County Health Board. He was appointed to that board in early 2013. He has attended numerous Board of Health meetings and trainings during his appointment.
“Being a participant of the Board of Health has given me a wider perspective of the ‘best kept secret,’ which is public health,” Barlow said. “Public health is not just the health department, it is environmental health, environmental management, water and sewer and infrastructure. It is amazing how the many different facets of public health impact our lives daily.”
Barlow said “I heard a quote once that says, ‘public health protects people from the environment and the environmental health protects the environment from the people.’ It is a satisfying feeling to be a part of bringing the two entities with their responsibilities into full circle. I am looking forward to serving as vice chair for the Georgia Public Health Association and achieving a goal for 2016 of doubling the participation of the GPHA Conference from the various health board members.”
Georgia has 159 health boards with seven mandated members for each board.
As vice chairman of the GPHA, Barlow’s impact in working to advocate for policy development, improving the public’s health and providing input for enhancing the health of Georgians will positively affect the overall purpose for which the GPHA was established.
County Commissioner Charles Oddo said “David is very passionate about the boards and committees he serves. This unanimous appointment to the health board shows that others see his zeal and appreciate the value that he brings.”
