Georgia's minorities suffer poorer health.

A county-by-county analysis of Georgia's health disparities found the state's minority residents have poorer health and health care access than other Georgians.

Among the disparities highlighted in the April report, released by the Georgia Department of Community Health and Minority Health Advisory Council, were that more than 9.2 percent of Hispanic women in Georgia received fewer than five prenatal visits during their pregnancies, compared to 2.9 percent of white women. The report also found that in 2005, HIV/AIDS diagnoses were almost nine times higher among black men than white men. Black middle schoolers had obesity rates of 17 percent, compared to 11 percent among their white peers.

The report, "Health Disparities Report 2008: A County-Level Look at Health Outcomes for Minorities in Georgia," was designed to identify inequalities in health care access and outcomes and encourage action toward health equity across the state. It marks the first phase of the Georgia Health Equity Initiative, a comprehensive, long-term effort designed to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. The second phase of the initiative is a series of town hall meetings on the report's findings, scheduled for May and June.

The full report is available at www.dch.georgia. gov.