County Health Rankngs Duval 

JACKSONVILLE – The Florida Department of Health in Duval County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and expresses appreciation to the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for the fourth annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool released today. This study uses traditional, established data, much of which was obtained from the Department and is available to the people of Florida at www.floridacharts.com.

These rankings serve as a snapshot of the health of individuals across counties in each state. The report highlights that health is a combined work in progress across a variety of community partners. The Florida Department of Health (DOH), through its county health departments, works together to improve the health of all Floridians. The data used in these rankings are available in each state and include information related to physical environment, social and economic factors, health behaviors, education, crime rate/law enforcement and clinical care.

“The Florida Department of Health works every day to bring together community partners around shared goals to improve health,” said Dr. John Armstrong, Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. “As we track our progress, we are reminded there is no finish line in our efforts for better health.”
For example, in Duval County, the rate of teen births (15-19 years of age) has decreased from 50.2/1,000 births in 2008 to 35.8/1,000 births in 2011 due in part to collaborative efforts throughout the community. Challenges still remain where many residents have limited access to primary health care and often use of emergency rooms for conditions best managed in an outpatient setting. Asthma hospitalizations, for example, rose from 874.2/100,000 in 2008 to 1026.5/100,000 in 2011, an increase of 17.4% in 4 years.

Duval is fortunate to have community groups working together to address issues affecting the health and wellness of the community. The Florida Department of Health in Duval County partners with many stakeholders to implement a Community Health Improvement Plan which is focused on improving health outcomes for the entire community.

“The phrases ‘health knows no boundaries,’ and ‘it takes a village’ are more true today than at anytime in history” said Dr. Dawn Allicock, Interim Director and Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. “While today’s report presents county level rankings, we realize that promoting optimal health involves a broad spectrum of partners working together, in all levels of government, education, business and civic organizations.”

The Rankings include an overview of each county in Florida with a color-coded map comparing each county’s overall health ranking. To access the report online, visit www.countyhealthrankings.org.
The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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