Community Health

Built Environment

The built environment includes our homes, schools, workplaces, parks/recreation areas, business areas and roads.  It extends overhead in the form of electric transmission lines, underground in the form of waste disposal sites and subway trains, and across the country in the form of highways.  The built environment encompasses all buildings, spaces and products that are created or modified by people.  It impacts indoor and outdoor physical environments (e.g., weather conditions and indoor/outdoor air quality), as well as social environments (e.g., civic participation, community capacity and investment) and subsequently our health and quality of life.

Community Resilience

Community Resilience relies on the ability to develop informed, empowered, and resilient healthcare systems and residents. With adequate information, resources, and tools, communities are better prepared to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond, rebound, recover, and adapt to threats and all-hazards.

Dental Health

Oral health is vitally important to overall health and well-being. Research has shown a link to diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke, respiratory illnesses and conditions of pregnant women including the delivery of pre-term and low birth weight infants. Dental disease is largely preventable through effective health promotion and dental disease prevention programs. Collaboration with medical partners to provide compelling messaging and preventive care is key to improving the overall health of all Floridians.

Health Councils

Local health councils study the impact of various initiatives on the health care system, provide assistance to the public and private sectors, and create and disseminate materials designed to increase their communities and understanding of health care issues.

Refugee Health

The goal of the Refugee Health Program (RHP) is to be a leader in providing culturally sensitive health services to persons who have fled their home country due to persecution (political, religious, or economic) in search for a better life and self-sufficiency in the U.S. The RHP reviews overseas medical examination records and provides health assessments and immunizations to refugees to enhance personal health status and protect Florida’s public health. The RHP provides these services through funding from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and the Florida Department of Children and Families, Refugee Services.

Rural Health

Rural health refers the well being of Florida’s rural residents and to those activities related to improving the health of rural communities.

State and Community Health Assessments

Comprehensive community health assessment and health improvement planning are the foundations for improving and promoting healthier Florida communities.  Our 67 counties use a commong process for collecting, analyzing and using data to educate and mobilize communities, develop priorities, gather resources, and plan and implement actions to improve public health.  

Volunteer Health Services

The Volunteer Health Services supports the department's volunteer efforts in eleven regions throughout the state.  A DOH volunteer coordinator is assigned to each region.  Regional coordinators work with DOH entities, community, and faith based health care providers to promote access to quality health care for the medically underserved and uninsured residents of Florida through the commitment of volunteers.