The Florida Department of Health is proud to recognize 33 communities as 2019 Healthy Community Champions. The local governments of Florida’s counties, cities and towns play an important role in improving the health of communities. In Florida, local governments have carried out a variety of policies that can empower people to increase their physical activity, improve nutrition and overall health. When policies that can improve public health are put into action, the Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to comprehensive planning is achieved. HiAP helps local governments promote and create environments where the healthy choice can be the easier choice for families and individuals.

Between June 10 and Aug. 15, local governments submitted their best HiAP practices. The complete list of champions is followed by these highlights: 

The City of Deerfield Beach, Broward County used “livable neighborhoods” strategies to identify opportunities for urban design investments such as bike paths and greenways that connect neighborhoods to commercial corridors. These community upgrades have greatly improved the comfort and safety of bicyclists and pedestrians. 

To address food insecurity, the City of Hawthorne in Alachua County supports the Hawthorne Area Resource Center, a local food bank and social group that provides free food daily.

In Santa Rosa County, the Town of Jay is renovating the abandoned livestock market into a farmers market for local farmers to sell produce and other locally made food. The Town of Jay has also partnered with Students Working Against Tobacco to establish a ban of tobacco products at town-sponsored and high school events. Santa Rosa County Public Health Services Manager Matt Dobson applauds his county. “We are pleased the Department recognizes what we already know. Santa Rosa has much to offer in the area of healthy living. We must strive to improve the health of all our residents.” (CrestviewBulletin.com/news)

Congratulations to Florida’s 2019 Healthy Community Champions:

1. Alachua County
2. Bradford County
3. City of Clermont, Lake
4. City of Coconut Creek, Broward
5. City of Deltona, Volusia
6. City of Doral, Miami-Dade
7. City of Hawthorne, Alachua
8. City of Key West, Monroe
9. City of Lake Butler, Union
10. City of Miami Gardens, Miami-Dade
11. City of Miami Lakes, Miami-Dade
12. City of New Port Richey, Pasco
13. City of Newberry, Alachua
14. City of Ocala, Marion
15. City of Ocoee, Orange
16. City of Palatka, Putnam
17. City of Palm Bay, Brevard
18. City of Pinellas Park, Pinellas
19. City of Port Orange, Volusia
20. City of Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie
21. City of Winter Haven, Polk
22. Columbia County
23. Crescent City, Putnam
24. Deerfield Beach, Broward
25. Everglades City, Collier
26. Hamilton County
27. Nassau County
28. Orange City, Volusia
29. Town of Hilliard, Nassau
30. Town of Jay, Santa Rosa
31. Town of Pembroke Park, Broward
32. Town of Welaka, Putnam
33. Union County

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