JACKSONVILLE, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Duval County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the 5th annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This study highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, much of which is available from the Department at www.floridacharts.com.

“We are proud of our many community partners, their growing commitment, strategic planning and work in progress as we build a healthier Jacksonville together,” said Dr. Kelli Wells, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Duval County. “We will continue to engage the community on all fronts to progress in the improvement of Duval County’s health outcomes.”

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. The Department works in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organizations, health care facilities, business groups, schools, faith-based organizations and many other stakeholders to improve the health of all people in Duval County. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care.

In Duval County, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community. The Department has partnered with many stakeholders to implement the CHIP and collaborates regularly to track progress. The Healthy Jacksonville Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (HJCOPC) is an example of the community joining together to improve public health outcomes. For twelve years now, more than 125 parents, health professionals and community organizations have been working together to overcome the obstacles that prevent our children from growing up healthy.

“We know that obesity prevention requires policy change, behavior change, institutional change, environmental changes, as well as changes in funding priorities,” said Betty Burney, Founder of the I’m A Star Foundation and HJCOPC member. “We have relied on DOH-Duval evidence-based guidance to assist with our approach in engaging our children in advocating for healthier outcomes for them, their peers and parents.”
“Building positive and lasting change for food systems in our schools, neighborhoods and markets is more than an idea,” said Cecil Williams, Chairman of the Duval County Food Policy Council. “Our actions and progress are driven by community collaborations and assessments.”

“The Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI) worked to develop JAX2025, a community-based vision that relies on the work and support of partners,” said Ben Warner, President and CEO, JCCI.

“DOH-Duval’s facilitation of the CHIP provided valuable ground work into shaping the priorities and strategies of the JAX2025 Health Targets.”

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.

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