FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2015
Contact: Stacy Haas, 772-794-7450                                                                                      

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ADDRESSES COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS

Vero Beach – The Florida Department of Health in Indian River 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.

“Together, we all work to improve our community’s health. The rankings help inform our community health improvement efforts and reinforce our continued work on our health priorities,” said Miranda Hawker, administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Indian River. 

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 Indian River County. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care.

In Indian River 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 CHIP priorities of access to care; prevention of STD, HIV and teen pregnancy; and Chronic Disease Prevention directly target issues identified through the community health assessment process and reinforced through the County Health Rankings.

“United Way’s Community Investment Process focuses on the areas of education, income and health.  The County Health Rankings provide an additional tool for analysis in working together for community health improvement,” said Michael Kint, CEO for United Way of Indian River County. 

“Health is everyone’s responsibility. We have a strong network of community partners working together to improve the health of our county and its residents,” said Ann Marie Suriano, Executive Director, Indian River County Hospital District. 

“Our overall scores in the County Health Rankings illustrate the progress we have made and opportunities for improvement. We have excellent community partners working together in our community health improvement process,” said Shelley Stuven, executive director for the Indian River County Medical Society. 

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The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.