Outstanding Program of the Year: Georgia Healthy Family Alliance
Recognized for Statewide Tar Wars Initiative
The Georgia Healthy Family Alliance (GHFA), the philanthropic arm of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians (GAFP), has been recognized as the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation Outstanding Program of the Year for its efforts in promoting health education among children. This achievement has been made possible through crucial funding and support from the AAFP Foundation and chapter grants, which have allowed the GHFA to grow and expand its impactful programs.
Kara Sinkule, associate director of the GHFA, said the program's overarching mission is to “impact the overall health of all Georgians using educational programs and initiatives consistent with the principles of family medicine.” She emphasized the invaluable support from the AAFP Foundation, thanking both the Foundation and its staff for the grants that helped plant the seeds for the program’s growth. Sinkule acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, there is still important work to be done.
Family Medicine Chapter Alliance Grant Awards
Supporting the philanthropic work of AAFP constituent chapters and chapter foundations since 2006.
At the heart of this recognition is the Alliance's administration of Tar Wars, a dynamic, interactive program designed to educate elementary school students about the dangers of tobacco and vaping products. The GHFA has gone beyond the original national initiative established by the AAFP in the 1980s, dedicating substantial resources to ensure the program is effectively implemented statewide. The Alliance hopes other states will adopt similar approaches, learning from Georgia’s success in implementing Tar Wars.
Offered free of charge to schools, Tar Wars represents a critical tool in Georgia's fight against tobacco use and the rising epidemic of youth vaping. To integrate Tar Wars as a standard part of Georgia's elementary school health curriculum by 2030, the Alliance is demonstrating a long-term commitment to improving the health of Georgia's children.
A major milestone for the program was reached in 2021 when state legislation was passed mandating annual education in public schools about the harmful effects of tobacco and vaping. This legislative victory reflects the ongoing advocacy of the GAFP and has laid the foundation for Tar Wars to reach even more students across the state.
To support the program's expansion, the Alliance has hired full-time staff dedicated to program implementation and launched weekly virtual "train-the-trainer" sessions, ensuring educators and health professionals are well-equipped to deliver Tar Wars lessons in classrooms.
The GHFA has partnered to produce educational materials and invested in marketing the program to schools, superintendents, teachers and nurses. Family Medicine Interest Groups and residency programs also support Tar Wars, creating a multidisciplinary rollout.
As the GHFA continues its work, the program's influence on public health in the state grows, with the potential to create a healthier, tobacco-free future for the next generation.