The Florida Department of Health in Indian River 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.

“Together, we all work to improve our community’s health. The rankings are a great reinforcement of all of the work or community has done collectively to improve public health”, said Miranda Hawker, Florida Department of Health in Indian River County Administrator. 

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.

“These health rankings enhance opportunities for community stakeholders to engage in informed dialog, so as to establish structured collaboration between all aspects of the Indian River community”, said Anthony Brown, Florida Department of Health in Indian River County Community Environmental Consultant.

“The CHIP enables us to dissect and bring to the community an inclusive approach to solving health issues”, said Freddie Woolfork, Gifford Achievement Center Director of Public Relations.

Last week 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.

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