FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health today recognized 37 communities as Healthy Weight Community Champions. Between November 2013 and February 2014, local governments were invited to submit best practice policies they have implemented to promote physical activity and improve nutrition in their jurisdictions. These “best practice” policies are exemplified by the Healthy Weight Community Champions. A list of the Champion Communities and best practices can be found below and online at: www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

“Efforts to improve health are often most effective at the local level and the Department wants to recognize the outstanding progress made by these communities to promote healthy weight,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The commitment of these municipalities and counties affect nearly 9.4 million Floridians and help further statewide collaborative efforts to make Florida the healthiest state in the nation.”

The Community Champions program is part of the Department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. To learn more about Healthiest Weight Florida, please visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

• Alachua County
• City of Arcadia
• Broward County
• Citrus County
• City of Clearwater
• City of Doral
• Flagler County
• City of Fort Myers
• City of Hollywood
• City of Inverness
• City of Lakeland
• City of Largo
• Lee County
• Madison County
• Manatee County
• Marion County
• Miami-Dade County
• City of Monticello
• City of Newberry
• City of New Smyrna Beach
• City of Orlando
• City of Ormond Beach
• City of Oviedo
• Palm Beach County
• City of Panama City
• City of Parkland
• City of Pinellas Park
• Polk County
• Town of Pomona Park
• Town of Ponce Inlet
• City of Punta Gorda
• Putnam County
• Sarasota County
• St Johns County
• City of St Petersburg
• City of Winter Haven
• City of Winter Park

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.