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Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County Addresses County Health Rankings     

MIAMI – The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the 2016 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.

“The information in the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps provides us with additional tools and guidance on ways we can take action to continue to work to protect, promote and improve the health of our community,” stated Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Administrator/Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health of Health in Miami-Dade County. “We are fortunate to have the support of our partners and the Florida Department of Health as we all strive to make Miami-Dade County a healthier place to live, learn, work and play.”

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.

 

“This report provides valuable information for additional targeting of our resources,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We will continue partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County to provide healthier lifestyle opportunities for our 2.6 million residents.”

 

Health is influenced by where and how we live, learn, work, play, and age. Understanding how these factors affect health, the Department of Health in Miami-Dade County and its partners led a comprehensive community health planning effort to measurably improve the health and wellness of all Miami-Dade County residents. 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 to promote healthy behaviors among Miami-Dade County residents. As a result of our partnership, many initiatives under the purview of the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade such as: low birth weight, adult obesity and access to exercise opportunity, have shown tremendous progress.  

“Under the leadership of Dr. Lillian Rivera, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County’s partnership strengthens the effectiveness and impact of the Institute,” states Dr. Roderick King, CEO of the Florida Institute for Health Innovation. “A founding board member and architect of multiple Institute projects, including our collaborative work in Liberty City, over the years, Dr. Lillian Rivera has helped us to engage a diverse set of multi-sectoral partners committed to building a Culture of Health.”

 

In February the State Surgeon General named the City of Doral, the Town of Cutler Bay and the Town of Miami Lakes Healthiest Weight Communities.  This community recognition serves to thank communities for their efforts to improve the health of all Floridians.

“Under the leadership of Dr. Lillian Rivera, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County’s partnership strengthens the effectiveness and impact of the Institute,” states Dr. Roderick King, CEO of the Florida Institute for Health Innovation. “A founding board member and architect of multiple Institute projects, including our collaborative work in Liberty City, over the years, Dr. Lillian Rivera has helped us to engage a diverse set of multi-sectoral partners committed to building a Culture of Health.”

 

Last week, the Florida Department of Health became the first integrated department of health in the nation to achieve national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. The seal of accreditation signifies that the Florida Department of Health has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health.

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

 

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