Media Release

​This press release sent out at the request of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today (March 29, 2017) acknowledged the 2017 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This study highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, much of which is available from the Department online.

“The 2017 County Health Rankings reflect the tireless efforts of our partners in advancing health in our community,” stated DOH-Alachua Administrator Paul Myers. “While we celebrate the collective progress we have made, we recognize that much work must be done and are confident that the commitment our community has demonstrated in making healthy choices the easy ones will continue.”

These rankings are a snapshot of the health of counties across the country, and they emphasize that health is not a singular effort but a combined work in progress across all community partners. The Department works in collaboration with local governments, non-profit organizations, health care facilities, business groups, schools, faith-based organizations, and many other stakeholders to improve the health of all people in Alachua County. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care.

In Alachua County, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is designed to address opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community. The Department has partnered with many stakeholders to implement the CHIP and regularly collaborates to track progress.

DOH-Alachua collaborates with its community partners to prioritize local health improvement activities in the community. Stakeholders share a common goal of ensuring access to comprehensive care and promoting wellness to all Alachua County residents. This strong collaboration is evident by improvement in the areas that determine future health.

“The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners continues to support our County Health Department in improving access to care and the control of communicable diseases,” stated Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “We also support policies that encourage healthy environments and lifestyles.”

“The School Board of Alachua County has a long history of collaborating with our public Health Department and community partners to ensure that students have access to essential health services,” stated Interim Alachua County Schools Superintendent Sandy Hollinger. “We recognize that health is a key factor for successful academic progress.”

Last week the Florida Department of Health celebrated a one-year milestone as the first integrated Department of Health in the nation to achieve national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. The seal of accreditation signifies that the Florida Department of Health has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health.

For more information, contact John Gonzales at 352-334-7914 or to john.gonzales@flhealth.gov