COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS REPORT RELEASED TODAY
- Annual Report ranks St. Johns County #1 in Florida -
ST. AUGUSTINE – For the third year in a row, St. Johns County has been ranked #1 in Florida in the Annual County Health Rankings Report released today by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The County Health Rankings Report measures a variety of health indicators that relate to quality and length of life, and serves to illustrate that health is not a singular effort, but a combined work in progress across all community partners.
“As we track and measure health outcomes and factors related to health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and the physical environment, we are reminded that there is no finish line in our efforts for better health. Building and maintaining a culture of health requires the ongoing collaboration and combined efforts of a wide range of community partners from all sectors,” said Dr. Dawn Allicock, Director and Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County.
“Our continually high ranking reflects the priority St. Johns County has placed on influencing the factors that affect the health of our residents,” said Jay Morris, Chair of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners. “We have fostered excellent partnerships within the community, including the Health Department, Flagler Hospital, the School District, local non-profit organizations and many others, and work together to create solutions to address issues that impact the health, welfare, and exceptionally high quality of life in our community.”
“As Flagler Hospital celebrates 125 years of caring for our community, it is extremely rewarding to see such a positive picture of our County’s health,” said Flagler Hospital President and CEO Joe Gordy. “It is clear that the many agencies we have the privilege to work with share our commitment to achieving the best possible health for the members of our community.”
“Much of our health is influenced by where we live, work, play and learn,” said Dr. Joseph Joyner, St. Johns County School District Superintendent. “I commend the efforts that our educators and community partners put into the education, health and safety of our students.”
“The Rankings results clearly illustrate the importance of collaboration between private and public sectors,” St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar remarked. “Our office is committed to serving and protecting St. Johns County, keeping it a safe place where our residents can enjoy an excellent quality of life.”
The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County champions the St. Johns County Health Leadership Council, a collaborative of community stakeholders dedicated to community health assessment and community health improvement planning. Work on St. Johns County’s fourth Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan is currently in progress, and scheduled for release in August 2014.
The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts, and recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and factors, many of which are available from the Florida Department of Health at www.floridacharts.com.
For further information on the County Health Rankings Report, visitwww.countyhealthrankings.org
