Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
In Duval County, the
Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) identifies community specific focus areas for improved health that have been chosen by members of the community. The CHIP also defines how public health system partners will work together to address health priorities. The result is a well-crafted roadmap to improve health outcomes that we will review and revise annually to respond to emerging challenges. The following priority areas in Duval County’s CHIP will impact our health ranking:
- Healthy Families and Healthy Babies
- Healthiest Weight
- Behavioral Health
- Access to Care
- Health Equity
Working with the Mayor, City Council, Florida Department of Health and local partners, we will continue to support the implementation of projects and programs in critical areas that will have a positive impact on the overall health of our community.
About the Journey to One
The
Journey to One is a citywide health initiative to provide, strengthen and bolster initiatives that improve personal and community health throughout Jacksonville. Improving health is a journey. When faced with daily choices, people can find the process overwhelming and difficult. It is critical that we understand that each day is an opportunity to build a pattern of healthier choices. The City of Jacksonville has examined and identified some key activities and programs to assist.
Mission
Every one in every zip code lives well
Goals
- Improve the health behavior of citizens, leading to greater outcomes in countywide health rankings
- Increase access and availability of quality health offerings and conditions in communities throughout the city
- Build or expand partnerships with organizations whose missions are aligned with City efforts to improve personal and community wellness
With personal wellness, we’re focusing on helping citizens make better choices when it comes to exercise, nutrition, weight management, disease prevention, and mental well-being. Maintaining your mental health is just as important as staying in shape.
Journey to One is working with many community health partners to help citizens take care of their mental and emotional health and well-being.
Exercise
Research supports that exercise and physical activity can reduce the risk of many chronic conditions. In addition to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure, physical activity can also reduce the risk of depression. Running is one of the mayor’s greatest past-times, an activity that allows him the opportunity to enjoy various parts of the city and downtown Jacksonville. While all may not opt to lace up for a fast-paced run, walking is a great opportunity to get out, explore and burn some calories.
As part of efforts to boost exercise and healthy activity, Mayor Curry is encouraging Jacksonville citizens to run or walk 26.2 miles a month. Visit the
Mayorthon page to track how many steps you take each day, view suggested routes featuring downtown locations and Jacksonville parks, and update us on your progress. There's even a place for you to upload a photo so that we can feature you on our social media channels.
Jax Mayorthon Kids Club
The Jax Mayorthon Kids Club is open to boys and girls, ages 5-12, throughout Duval County. Visit the
Jax Mayorthon Kids Club page to register for membership, download activities, and read articles about making healthier food, exercise and safety choices.
There are many basics to good health. Nutrition and food quality are key. Each day, people consume foods and beverages, establishing eating habits and patterns that affect their lives. An individual’s diet, alone, can be the greatest predictor of his or health and risk for chronic disease. Diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers are linked to poor nutrition. National guidelines, developed by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), assists persons in identifying and understanding appropriate serving sizes, food groups, and calories.
To help us build and adopt healthier habits, the
Florida Department of Health in Duval County has created
5-2-1-0. This statewide awareness campaign encourages citizens to daily:
- Eat 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide nutrients that are important for growth and development.
- Commit to 2 hours of screen time each day. Too much screen time puts persons at risk for obesity, poor performance and concentration difficulty. No televisions, computers, or games where you sleep.
- Engage in 1 hour or more of physical activity. Regular physical activity promotes healthy weight.
- Consume 0 sugary drinks. Water is the best choice.
Take the 5-2-1-0 pledge. Learn more about it and the various programs and services provided by the
Department of Health in Duval County.
Check out these healthy recipes from our friends at the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office:
*Download text only version of recipes.
Over a quarter of adults throughout Florida are obese, leading to rates which reveal that 4 out of 5 northeast Florida counties exceed the state rate. Duval County is no exception. In an effort to promote and encourage healthy weight and lifestyles among citizens, the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Well-being is partnering with the
Duval County Medical Society Foundation for Mission One Million. A coalition of public, private and non-profit agencies are collaborating to inform and inspire residents throughout Jacksonville to improve their eating habits, resulting in a one-million pound weight loss.
Recognizing the risks of crash diets and fads, Mission One Million encourages citizens to make proper eating choices, engage in physical activity, establish a healthy network of support, consult with physicians, and seek balance for emotional health.
Community Health
The City shares in the responsibility of providing citizens with an environment that promotes and supports wellness. Health disparities are a cause for concern in several neighborhoods in Jacksonville. In an effort to address those disparities and ensure every one in every ZIP code lives well, Journey to One’s community health focus offers citywide resources and programs that support our collective well-being, as well as opportunities for citizens to contribute to those efforts.
Public Safety
From day to day activities, to enjoying local parks, citizens deserve to feel safe in their community. Public safety is one of the City’s top priorities. In addition to reducing instances of violence, efforts are being made to identify needs, and prioritize strategies that will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety throughout Jacksonville.
We’re examining ways to make the city safer for cyclists and pedestrians to increase walkability and activity in our communities. Read about the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan process to develop policies and procedures that promote safety, connectivity, awareness and participation.
Everyone in Jacksonville plays a role in improving the safety of our roadways. From bicyclists and pedestrians, to motorcyclists and drivers, we all share a responsibility to contribute to a safer community. Help make every street in Jacksonville a safe place to walk, ride or drive by following our
All In Duval safety tips.
Food Deserts
Too many communities in our city lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables. The Department of Health calls these food deserts. Statistics suggest that there are 140,000 people in over 55,000 households who live in food deserts in Jacksonville. Limited access to supermarkets, supercenters, grocery stores, or other sources of healthy and affordable food may make it harder for some Americans to eat a healthy diet.
In an effort to address food disparities in our communities, the
Farm to Faith initiative, held in partnership with the
Clara White Mission and
White Harvest Farms, brings fresh produce to local churches located in northwest Jacksonville, a community facing a number of health-related challenges, including food deserts - a geographic area where healthy, affordable food is hard to obtain. Through Farm to Faith, fresh fruits and vegetables are available for purchase by church and community members following services.
Through the City's
Blight initiative, we will continue to focus on reducing blight in our neighborhoods to build and restore neighborhood pride, and encouraging more walking and activity in our communities.
Preventative care can help prevent major illnesses down the line, which can be costly. Citizens are encouraged to "know their numbers" to help stop cardiovascular diseases by getting blood pressure screenings at their neighborhood fire stations.
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