MIAMI – The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the sixth 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 committed to making Miami-Dade County a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.  The County Health Rankings help us to understand what factors have influenced good health in our community as well as identify areas where we must work harder,” said Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, Ph.D., administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. “We are fortunate to have the support of our community partners and to be part of an integrated Florida Department of Health.”

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 Miami-Dade County. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care.

 

“We welcome the release of the 2015 County Health Rankings and look forward to sharing what has worked in our community as well as identify opportunities for improvement,” stated Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We continue working in partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County to develop initiatives and provide greater opportunities for our community so that they can lead healthier lifestyles.”

 

In Miami-Dade 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. An initiative of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County is the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. The consortium through its committees brings together community partners to provide input on health initiatives and leverage community support. For example, Miami-Dade County ranks the healthiest in the area of tobacco use. The efforts of the department’s Tobacco Prevention Program together with the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade Tobacco Work Group has made for significant improvements in this area.

 

“The Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work stands ready to support the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County in solving our community's health problems,” said H. Virginia McCoy, Ph.D., professor, Florida International University, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. “Our 30-year partnership has seen progress and we envision a healthier future ahead.”

 

“It takes combined efforts of businesses, health care providers, government and local leaders to create a healthier community,” stated Armando Ferrer, Ph.D., president of Miami Dade College Medical Campus. “We are proud of our partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, together we can find ways and create opportunities to help our residents live longer, healthier lives.”

 

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.