Dr. Karen Chapman welcomes attendees to the CHA Leadership
Team and CHIP Champion meeting.

DOH-Okaloosa met with community partners to share the Okaloosa County 2018 Community Health Assessment (CHA) Update. The document provides data related to each of the county’s five Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) groups. During the meeting, attendees gave feedback that will shape the final version and inform development of 2019 goals in the Community Health Improvement Plan. Learn more

As a part of an injury prevention goal, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County formed a taskforce to address drowning prevention in the Florida Keys. The group is bringing affordable ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) courses to the area to teach infants and children aquatic skills to survive an accidental water exposure. Recently, the taskforce transitioned into a nonprofit organization run by community members to ensure sustainability. ISR lessons are expected to start by May 2019 at no cost to almost 50 children in the Florida Keys. Learn more

DOH-Orange continued its Baby Safe Sleep campaign with LYNX Bus shelter posters to educate the community. Located in areas of Orange County where infant mortality rates are a concern, the campaign, both in English and Spanish, focuses on highlighting the ABC's of Baby Safe Sleep messaging – that babies should sleep alone, on their back and in a crib. The posters also encourage parents to limit smoking around babies and offers Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention messages. Learn more

For a third year, residents joined the Great Hernando Weight Loss Challenge (GHWLC), a community health initiative that motivates teams of 10 to lose 10 lbs. per person in 10 weeks. The 760 individuals aim to lose a total of 7,600 lbs. by March 27. In 2018, Challengers lost a total of 7200 lbs. The GHWLC is an initiative of the Hernando County Community Health Improvement Plan Partnership which enjoys strong support from DOH-Hernando, UNITED Way, Oak Hill Hospital, Hernando County School District, City Parks and Recreation, YMCA, Hernando County Library and many others.

On January 30, 2019 the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County and the Partnership for a Healthier Nassau presented a new Nassau CHIP for 2019-2021. Strategic issue areas include Access to Care, Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse, Community Support, Health Disparities, and Housing and Safe Places. Melissa Nelson, State Attorney for Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit, shared her vision of health and connected it with the five priority areas. Local stakeholders, including County Commissioners, and representatives from law enforcement, health care agencies, the school district, the hospital, other organizations attended. Learn more