Jan. 28, 2016

FLORIDA CONGRATULATES 2016 HEALTHY WEIGHT COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

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

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health is recognizing 80 communities as 2016 Healthy Weight Community Champions for their model practices which affect more than 41 percent of Floridians. This year’s Champions are working to reshape environments in their communities through a variety of evidence-based policies that increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

“By working toward creating healthy environments, these local governments have shown their commitment to improving the health of all Floridians,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We are proud to see the number of recognized communities growing steadily each year.”

Between October and December 2015, local governments were invited to submit best practices and policies they have implemented in their jurisdictions related to health and wellness. The work highlighted on the applications demonstrates local government commitment to making Florida the healthiest state in the nation.

The Community Champions program is part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

The 2016 Healthy Weight Community Champions are listed below by region. Click on the corresponding region to read that region’s press release:

Northwest

• City of Pensacola
• City of Fort Walton Beach

Panhandle

• City of Panama City
• City of Apalachicola
• Gulf County
• City of Port St. Joe
• City of Marianna

Capital

• Gadsden County
• Hamilton County
• Jefferson County
• City of Monticello
• Leon County
• City of Tallahassee
• City of Madison
• Suwanee County
• City of St. Marks

Northeast

• Bradford County
• City of Starke
• Town of Penney Farms
• City of Jacksonville
• Putnam County
• City of Palatka
• Town of Pomona Park
• Town of Welaka
• City of Crescent City
• St. Johns County
• Union County
• City of Lake Butler

North Central

• Alachua County
• City of Newberry
• City of Cedar Key

Central

• City of Palm Bay
• Town of Indialantic
• Flagler County
• City of Clermont
• Marion County
• City of Belleview
• City of Orlando
• City of Winter Park
• City of St. Cloud
• City of Oviedo
• City of Sanford
• City of New Smyrna Beach
• City of Ormond Beach
• Town of Ponce Inlet

West Central

• Citrus County
• Manatee County
• City of Bradenton
• City of Safety Harbor
• City of Clearwater
• City of Largo
• City of St. Petersburg
• City of Pinellas Park
• Polk County
• City of Lakeland
• City of Winter Haven
• Sarasota County

Southwest

• City of Marco Island
• Glades County
• Hendry County
• Lee County
• City of Sanibel
• City of Fort Myers

South

• Broward County
• City of Coconut Creek
• City of Deerfield Beach
• City of Fort Lauderdale
• City of Hallandale Beach
• City of Hollywood
• City of Tamarac
• City of Weston
• City of Wilton Manors
• Town of Miami Lakes
• Town of Cutler Bay
• City of Doral
• City of Key West

Southeast

• City of Vero Beach
• City of Stuart
• City of Delray Beach
• City of Port St. Lucie

For more information about Healthiest Weight Florida and the Healthiest Weight Community Champions Recognition, visit: HealthiestWeightFlorida.com/recognition.

About the Florida Department of Health

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

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.