FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2015

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health is recognizing 65 communities as the 2015 Healthy Weight Community Champions. Florida’s county and municipal governments play an important role in increasing the prevalence of healthy weight in their jurisdictions. Local governments can implement a variety of evidence-based policies that increase physical activity and improve nutrition. Between August and December 2014, local governments were invited to submit best practice policies they have implemented in their jurisdictions over the year. A list of the 2015 Champion Communities and best practices can be found online at: HealthiestWeightFlorida.com/recognition.

“The health of Florida’s children, adults, and families improves with local solutions,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “The number of recognized counties and municipalities for 2015 has nearly doubled from last year and shows the continuing commitment of local governments to shape healthy communities.”

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, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

2015 Healthy Weight Community Champions:

• Alachua County
• Broward County
• Calhoun County
• City of Apalachicola
• City of Archer
• City of Bradenton
• City of Cape Coral
• City of Clearwater
• City of Coconut Creek
• City of Crescent City
• City of Deerfield Beach
• City of Doral
• City of Fernandina Beach
• City of Ft. Lauderdale
• City of Ft. Walton Beach
• City of Hawthorne
• City of Jacksonville
• City of Jasper
• City of Lakeland
• City of Largo
• City of Live Oak
• City of Madison
• City of New Smyrna Beach
• City of Newberry
• City of Oakland Park
• City of Orlando
• City of Ormond Beach
• City of Oviedo
• City of Palm Coast
• City of Panama City
• City of Pembroke Pines
• City of Pensacola
• City of Perry
• City of Pinellas Park
• City of Plantation
• City of Port St. Joe
• City of Safety Harbor
• City of Sanford
• City of St. Cloud
• City of Tallahassee
• City of Tampa
• City of West Miami
• City of Weston
• City of Winter Haven
• City of Winter Park
• Collier County
• Columbia County
• Gulf County
• Hamilton County
• Hendry County
• Hillsborough County
• Indian River County
• Jefferson County
• Liberty County
• Marion County
• Nassau County
• Polk County
• Putnam County
• Sarasota County
• St. Johns County
• Town of Penney Farms
• Town of Pomona Park
• Town of Ponce Inlet
• Town of White Springs
• Wakulla County

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. During 2014, the Department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

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