Public Health Care Achievements

Commissioner Larry Johnson represents District 3 of DeKalb County. Because of his background and efforts in the field of public health, Commissioner Johnson was appointed in 2005 to chair the Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health Steering Committee for NACo, the National Association of Counties. In 2008, he was appointed as Vice Chair of the NACo Health Steering Committee. The Health Steering Committee has jurisdiction, on a national policy level, over all matters pertaining to health care delivery and financing including: indigent care health, care for the uninsured, Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care, local public health programs, mental health, substance abuse and development disabilities.

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As DeKalb County Commissioner, Johnson started “DeKalb Walks... For the Health of It”, an initiative designed to motivate DeKalb residents to improve their health by walking for exercise. Under this initiative, he designated walking as the official exercise of DeKalb — the only locality in Georgia or the U.S. to do so. Through the National Association of Counties (NACo), Commissioner Johnson implemented the Prescription Discount Drug Card program in DeKalb County. Participants in the program save up to 20% off of their prescription drug costs not covered by any other insurance.

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Commissioner Johnson is the former VP of Community Engagement for the Association of Black Cardiologists, and former manager of the Fulton County Department of Health & Wellness, where he managed the REACH Program — Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health — a federal initiative that included the goal of eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in community health, a master’s degree in public health and also received an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.