March 29, 2017

Florida Department of Health Addresses County Health Rankings

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health announced today the release of the 2017 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps (Rankings). A collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the Rankings are a snapshot of the health of counties across the country. Data used to determine the Rankings include information about physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care. The Rankings are compiled using county-level measures from a variety of national and state data sources, much of which is available from the department on FLHealthCharts.

“The Department of Health, through all 67 county health departments, works in collaboration with local partners and other agencies to improve the health and lives of all Floridians,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “The data compiled in the Rankings serve as a reminder that many factors beyond health care influence one’s health, and the county profiles help communities determine whether their local efforts are improving the health of their residents.”

Much of the health data used by the Rankings to compile its snapshots are also used by the department to identify priority issues, develop and implement strategies for action, and establish accountability to ensure measurable health improvement is achieved, which are outlined in the form of a population-based Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). 

Florida’s counties continue to be national leaders in health improvement planning, and in 2013, Florida became one of the first states to have a CHIP in each of our 67 counties. Each CHIP defines a vision and roadmap for improving the health of the community and is developed in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organizations, health care professionals, business groups, schools, faith-based organizations and many other stakeholders. As new health data becomes available, CHIPs are updated accordingly. 

At the state level, we use data and evidence-based strategies to inform our department’s strategic plan and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). The department is currently working with state agency and community partners to craft the 2017-2021 SHIP. More information on the process is available here.

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.

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