Milton, Fla. —The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County recognizes the value in measuring health outcomes and today acknowledged the 2022 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 on Florida Health Charts. 

“The County Health Rankings are a useful tool in developing our three-year community health improvement plan,” said Matt Dobson, administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa).  “We improved in rank this year, and we are pleased with the progress we are making, but there are still opportunities for improvement, our goal is to work with Achieve Healthy EscaRosa to develop action plans to work to improve on the six priority areas identified in the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).”

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 sectors of the community. The DOH-Santa Rosa, utilizing the data from the rankings, 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 Santa Rosa County. These rankings use data related to physical environments, social and economic factors, health behaviors and clinical care. 

The partnership with Achieve Healthy EscaRosa (AHER) brings together multiple organizations and sectors across the two-county MSA to work together to improve health outcomes through data-driven action. AHER uses the collective impact methodology to unite and align resources to improve the health and well-being of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties so that everyone can live well and thrive.  

The Community Health Improvement Plan  is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community. The DOH- Santa Rosa has partnered with many stakeholders and AHER to implement activities and collaborates regularly to track progress.  

To explore more health indicators in your county, visit www.FLHealthCHARTS.com. 

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