The 2018 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tools released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation highlights the many community factors that influence health and uses established data, which is available on FLHealthCHARTS.com.
Pasco County ranks 38th in Florida for overall Health Outcomes in the 2018 County Health Rankings.
Mike Napier, health officer, said in a release, “It is disappointing to see Pasco drop three spots in the rankings. However, we are not discouraged, as it takes more than one year to register impacts related to improve access to care, Healthy Start, and the many other areas being worked on in our Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).”
The health improvement plan is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health that have been identified by the community itself.
Through CHIP, Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is working toward implementing healthier concession stands at Pasco County parks, using “Fun Bites” guidelines.
Pasco’s department of health also has launched a “Move More” countywide initiative that aims to increase awareness of and access to physical activities throughout the county.
The county’s Tobacco Prevention Program works with Tobacco Free Florida and other community partners to promote tobacco-free living by using multiple strategies, including education, implementing smoke-free and tobacco-free policies at work places and colleges, and promoting the “Quit Your Way” campaign.
In addition to the aforementioned programs, Pasco also offers the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which gives free or low-cost breast and cervical screenings for eligible women, ages 50 to 64, who reside in Pasco County.
And, the Healthy Start program offers free services to all pregnant women, and children ages 0 to 3 years, to educate new moms in everything from preconception and childbirth to parenting skills.
For information on all programs and services, visit Pasco.floridahealth.gov.
