FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2014

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health today addressed the release of the 5th annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool from the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This study highlights the value of measuring health outcomes and uses existing data, much of which is available from the Department at www.floridacharts.com. The Department works in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organizations, health care professionals, business groups, schools, faith-based organizations and many other stakeholders in a united effort to improve the health of all people in Florida.

“Florida is fortunate to have a Department of Health that is present in all 67 counties and focused on building strong and healthy communities,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “Health takes shape through local partnerships, and we recognize that the path toward better public health is paved with community collaboration. Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP) are now in place in every Florida county.”

“Understanding areas of strength and opportunities for growth across our state is critical to the continual improvement of public health in Florida,” said Senate Health Policy Chair Aaron Bean. “Through community collaboration we can achieve the Department’s goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation.”

“It is important to recognize health rankings and continue to make strides toward better public health in Florida,” said House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Matt Hudson. “I commend the Department in their efforts to promote and improve health for all Florida families.”

“Public health opportunities and threats are most easily identifiable at the local level within Florida’s diverse and ever changing communities,” said Bryan Desloge, President of the Florida Association of Counties. “I applaud the Department in recognizing the importance of these county health rankings and continuing to work toward health for all Floridians.”

These rankings are a snapshot of the health of counties across the country and they emphasize that health is not a singular effort but a combined work in progress across all community partners. Data used to determine the rankings includes information related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care. The Department has championed the development of a Community Health Improvement Plan in each of Florida’s 67 counties and was one of the first states to have these plans in place in every county. CHIPs facilitate strategic community publicprivate partnerships to prioritize local health improvement activities and maximize how local resources are utilized.

Across the state, the Department is leading efforts to address Florida’s number one threat to health: weight. Currently, only 36% of Floridians are at healthy weight. In response, the Department launched Healthiest Weight Florida, a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make informed choices about healthy eating and active living. As a result, Florida has improved from 19th to 12th healthiest state in the nation and has seen a 1.4 percent increase in adult Floridians who are at a healthy weight. More information is available at www.HealthiestWeightFL.com.

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.