Georgia Hospitals Prepare for $218 Million Rural Health Transformation Rollout

Georgia’s hospitals are getting ready for the money by treating it like a competitive, time-boxed grant opportunity rather than a bailout. The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), which applied for and will manage the funds, is setting up a grant process where eligible providers must apply and show their projects “cannot maintain the status quo,” with the dollars needing to be allocated by October 2026.

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Subway Locations Earn Perfect Health Inspection Scores in Late January Checks

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Two Subway locations in Chattooga County received perfect scores in the latest round of health inspections released by the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department for the last half of January 2026.

SUBWAY 13814 at 9880 Commerce Street earned a score of 100 on its January 29, 2026 inspection.

SUBWAY 33504 at 13427 Highway 27 also received a 100 on its January 22, 2026 inspection. Both locations are permitted as food service establishments in Chattooga County.

Should you ever have a complaint about any food service or tourist accommodation operating in Chattooga County, you may register that complaint by calling the Chattooga County Environmental Health Department at 706-857-3377.

The two Subway locations were the only health inspections reported for the last half of January.

Flu Activity Declines Nationwide, but ER Visits Rise for School-Aged Children, CDC Says

Flu activity across the United States is beginning to decline, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but emergency room visits among school-aged children are increasing.

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Chattooga County Health Data Highlights Obesity and Uninsured Rates in 2025

Newly reported 2025 health risk data for Chattooga County shows two ongoing challenges that can affect long-term health and access to care: adult obesity and a high share of residents without health insurance. Local health leaders say both factors can contribute to higher rates of chronic disease and make it harder for people to get preventive services before problems become emergencies.

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Chattooga County Environmental Health Releases Early January Inspection Scores

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The Chattooga County Environmental Health Department has released health inspection results for the first half of January 2026, showing perfect scores for two tourist accommodation facilities in the county.

Express Inn & Suites, located at 14364 Highway 27 in Trion, earned a score of 100 on its most recent inspection conducted January 14, 2026.

James H. Floyd State Park, located at 2800 Sloppy Floyd Lake Road in Summerville, also received a score of 100 on its latest inspection conducted January 7, 2026.

Should you ever have any complaint about any food service or tourist accommodation that operates in Chattooga County, you can contact Chattooga County Environmental Health at (706) 857-3377.

Atrium Health Floyd Doctor Urges “Three Simple Steps” to Cut Winter Illness Risk

As the new year begins, Atrium Health Floyd is reminding Northwest Georgians that respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV tend to surge during the winter months—and prevention is still the best defense.

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Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation Opens 2026 Community Impact Grant Applications; Deadline Feb. 6

Atrium Health Floyd-Polk Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grant cycle, with proposals due February 6.

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Georgia Health Officials Raise Alarm as Vaping Persists Among Teens and Young Adults

Public health leaders across Georgia are renewing warnings about vaping as e-cigarette use remains a major concern for teens and young adults, even as prevention campaigns expand in schools and communities.

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Flu Hospitalizations Surge Across Georgia as 2026 Begins

As the new year begins, Georgia is seeing one of the highest rates of flu-associated hospitalizations in the nation, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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Georgia “PFAS Receiver Shield” Bill Could Reshape Lawsuits Tied to Water Contamination

A proposed bill at the Georgia Capitol, House Bill 211, could change how PFAS-related lawsuits move forward in the state, and opponents say it may limit legal options for communities dealing with contaminated drinking water, including Summerville water customers impacted by PFAS.

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