February 8, 2017

Florida Department of Health Recognizes 2017 Healthy Weight Community Champions

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

Tallahassee, Fla.—Today, the Florida Department of Health recognized 98 communities as the 2017 Healthy Weight Community Champions. Florida’s county and municipal governments play an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in their jurisdictions. Local governments can implement a variety of policies that have been shown to increase physical activity and improve nutrition. These best practice policies are reflected in the Healthy Weight Community Champion submission criteria. Between August and December 2016, local governments were invited to submit best practices they have implemented in their jurisdictions.

“I am pleased that the department is able to recognize the tremendous work these local governments have done to improve the health of their residents” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “Their efforts to implement policies that empower residents and visitors to improve their health are an important part of creating healthy environments throughout Florida.”

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, local governments, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools, faith-based organizations and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

The 2017 Healthy Weight Community Champions are listed below by region. Click on the corresponding region to read that region’s press release.

Panhandle

• Bay County
• City of Apalachicola
• City of Panama City
• City of Pensacola
• City of Port St. Joe

Capital

• City of Madison
• City of Tallahassee
• Gadsden County
• Jefferson County
• Leon County
• Madison County

NorthEast

• Bradford County
• City of Crescent City
• City of Hampton
• City of Lake Butler
• City of Palatka
• City of Starke
• Columbia County
• Putnam County
• Nassau County
• St. Johns County
• Town of Brooker
• Town of Interlachen
• Town of Penney Farms
• Town of Pomona Park
• Town of Welaka
• Union County

North Central

• Alachua County
• City of Newberry

Central

• City of Belleview
• City of Bunnell
• City of Clermont
• City of Dunnellon
• City of New Smyrna Beach
• City of Orlando
• City of Ormond Beach
• City of Oviedo
• City of Palm Bay
• City of Sanford
• City of Satellite Beach
• City of Winter Garden
• City of Winter Park
• Flagler County
• Marion County
• Town of Eatonville
• Town of Indialantic
• Town of Ponce Inlet

West Central

• City of Bartow
• City of Bradenton
• City of Brooksville
• City of Clearwater
• City of Lakeland
• City of Largo
• City of Mulberry
• City of New Port Richey
• City of Pinellas Park
• City of Sarasota
• City of Venice
• City of Winter Haven
• Manatee County
• Polk County
• Sarasota County
• Town of Redington Beach

SouthWest

• Charlotte County
• City of Cape Coral
• City of Sanibel
• Collier County
• DeSoto County
• Glades County
• Hendry County
• Highlands County

South

• Broward County
• City of Coconut Creek
• City of Cooper City
• City of Coral Gables
• City of Deerfield Beach
• City of Doral
• City of Fort Lauderdale
• City of Hallandale Beach
• City of Hollywood
• City of Key West
• City of Marathon
• City of Miami
• City of Miramar
• City of Oakland Park
• City of Plantation
• City of Weston
• City of Wilton Manors
• Islamorada, Village of Islands
• Town of Miami Lakes
• Town of Cutler Bay

SouthEast

• City of Boynton Beach
• City of Delray Beach
• City of Fellsmere
• City of Lake Worth
• City of Port St. Lucie
• Okeechobee County
• St. Lucie County

About Healthiest Weight Florida

To learn more about Healthiest Weight Florida, please visit www.HealthiestWeightFL.com. A list of the 2017 Champion Communities and best practices can be found online at: www.HealthiestWeightFL.com/Recognition.html.

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.

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