The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) respects the privacy of visitors to its Web sites. This Privacy Statement addresses the collection, use, disclosure, and security of information that
may be obtained through the use of this Web site.

If you have questions or concerns about our privacy policies, or have suggestions on how these policies can be improved, please feel free to write to us at georgiahealthinfo@dch.ga.gov.

Information Collected

If you visit a Web site maintained by DCH to read or download information, we may collect some or all of the following information:

• The name of your domain; for example, “xyzcompany.com” if you use a private Internet access account;

• An IP address; a number automatically assigned to your computer when you are using the Internet;

• The type of browser and operating system used to access our site;

• The date and time of your visit;

• The Internet address of the Web site from which you linked directly to our site;

• The pages you visit within DCH’s Web site(s); and

• The links made to other Web sites through this site.

This information is collected for statistical analysis using third-party or proprietary software programs to create summary statistics. The statistics are used for the purpose of determining what information is of most and least interest to all visitors and identifying system performance or problem areas. This information is not collected for commercial marketing purposes.

You are not required to provide personal information to use this Web site. If, during your visit to a Web site maintained by DCH, you choose to provide personally identifiable information, we will collect such information. Examples of personally identifiable information may include:

• Your name, address, or phone number;

• An e-mail address if you are communicating to us through e-mail;

• Information you voluntarily submit to DCH for the purposes of completing or submitting an application or form online; and

• Other information volunteered, such as vendor profile/contact information, survey information or content of e-mail.



Please note the information collected, whether or not personally identifiable, is not limited to text characters and may include audio, video and other graphic formats you send us. Please be aware that e-mail transmissions are not necessarily secure and sensitive information should not be sent via e-mail. Information is retained in accordance with existing laws, rules, regulations, and other policies.

Use

Any information provided is handled on a confidential basis within the Department. Depending on the specific service or transaction, DCH may share personally identifiable information amongst its agencies in order to provide such service or complete such transaction.

Public Disclosure

DCH will not disclose any personally identifiable information collected online to entities outside of State of Georgia departments and agencies unless you have given us permission, or in cases where the information is public information under the Georgia Open Records Act O.C.G.A. 50-18-70 et seq., or other applicable laws.

Information collected through this Web site may be subject to examination and inspection, if such information is a public record or not otherwise protected from disclosure.

Cookies

DCH may occasionally use “cookies” to customize your browsing experience. Cookies are simple text files stored by your web browser and they provide a method of distinguishing among visitors to the Web sites, and allowing customized features such as a “shopping cart” feature for online purchasing. Cookies created on your computer by using our Web sites do not contain personally
identifiable information and do not compromise your privacy or security. You can refuse the cookie or delete the cookie file from your computer at any time by using any one of a number of widely available methods.

Security

Several tools, policies and protocols are used to safeguard the submission of information and to protect against unauthorized access to or alteration of content on Web sites maintained by DCH. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day operations of the entire operating environment as part of our continuing commitment to the security of electronic content as well as the electronic transmission of information.

In certain instances, you will have the opportunity to receive or create a password to access or submit certain information. You should not divulge your password to anyone in an unsolicited phone call or e-mail. When you are finished with those applications that are password protected, it is always recommended that you close or otherwise exit the browser page.

Changes to this Policy

Any changes to this policy will be posted on this page. Each version of this Policy will be identified at the top of the page by its effective date.

If you have questions or concerns about our privacy policies, or have suggestions on how these policies can be improved, please feel free to email us at georgiahealthinfo@dch.ga.gov.

Last modified: October 3, 2008