A new health program is slated to enter Hall County Schools next fall, making the system the first in the U.S. to pilot it.

Hall County Schools spokesman Gordon Higgins said school leaders met last month to discuss the program with executives from United Healthcare of Georgia, which initiated the program.

United Healthcare of Georgia president Rick Elliot introduced the company to Hall County. UnitedHealth Group was eyeing several states for the initial test program, but found that Hall County's demographics represent what they were looking for in a national model.

"It's very diverse here in terms of our population, ethnic makeup, and our economic and gender demographic mirrors the nation as well," Higgins said.

While many details of the program are still uncertain, UnitedHealth Group said it would include a three-pronged approach to combating childhood obesity - identify, counsel and refer.

School nurses would collect student health information and identify students who are at risk for obesity issues.

The program would then offer counseling and other services, Higgins said.

"They could include referral to a pediatric service, if they don't already have a family doctor," he said.

"Another piece is the physical fitness therapy piece. They could be referred to an agency to provide physical training for the student."

Like other screening programs - such as those for vision, hearing or scoliosis - parents may opt out of the program.

"We know parents ultimately know what's best for their children," Higgins said. "We're just there to help and make sure they have those services available."

UnitedHealth Group plans to cover the cost of implementing the program, including training for nurses.

"With our budgets the way they are and furlough days in place, we told them if they want to implement this, they would have to assume much of the responsibility," Higgins said.

Mamie Coker, health services coordinator for Hall County Schools, said the new program would be used in conjunction with Fitnessgram, a fitness assessment currently being piloted in Hall County. That program is expected to roll out statewide next year.

School nurses and physical education teachers would use Fitnessgram for the initial student assessment, which includes body mass index, blood pressure and a number of other health factors.

Higgins said childhood obesity is an important issue for Hall County and school systems across the state. Recent reports by Children's Healthcare of Atlanta have indicated Georgia has the second-highest rate of childhood obesity in the United States, behind Mississippi. He said having multiple fitness programs will bring important resources to parents, children and the community.

"The Hall County school system is very concerned about the health of children, and we're aware that the issue of childhood obesity is at the forefront," he said. "The county is willing to step forward and pioneer a pilot program that is new and shows promise."

The first step the district will take is to hold focus groups in early December, Coker said. They will be guided by representatives from United Health and Hall County Schools.

The groups will include central office administration staff who will be implementing the program at the school level, parents and community health stakeholders.

Higgins said there was no talk of the company's long-term goals for the program; however, he said it won't be short-lived.

"It's not being looked at as a one-year thing and we're done," he said. "We're looking for something that has sustainability, and they want that too as national health care providers."

Higgins said he expects the focus groups to begin meeting Dec. 2.