MIAMI – The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the 2017 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.flhealthcharts.gov.

“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.

“Last year, Miami-Dade County received the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health Prize, which recognizes communities that are making great strides in their journey toward better health,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “The information in the 2017 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps is valuable in targeting our resources as we work together to make Miami-Dade County an even healthier place for our 2.7 million residents.”

Health is influenced by where and how we live, learn, work, play, and age. Understanding how these factors affect health, the Florida 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.

Miami-Dade County was one of seven winners of the 2016 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. This national award honors communities for their efforts to ensure all residents have the opportunity to live longer, healthier and more productive lives. 

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

Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health celebrated a one-year milestone as 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.

About the Florida Department of 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.