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The Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Health Department
In the United States today, seven of ten deaths and the vast majority of serious illness, disability, and health care cost are caused by chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease. Underlying these serious diseases are several important risk factors that can be modified years before they contribute to illness and death.
In 2003 the Miami-Dade County Health Department recognized the need for the community to join forces to combat the increasing rates of chronic disease in our community. A meeting of community partners was called in September 2003 and the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade (Consortium) was established.
Mission
To be the catalyst in Miami-Dade County for promoting health and preventing chronic disease by prioritizing needs, identifying opportunities, securing resources and increasing collaboration.
Vision
To enable the people of Miami-Dade County to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
The three main community goals are:
- The nutritional status and physical fitness of Miami-Dade County residents will be among the highest in the State.
- The Miami-Dade marketplace will embrace a culture of stress management education, risk reduction and work/life balance.
- Miami-Dade’s key stakeholders will be well educated and knowledgeable on both the human benefits and cost savings of health education, assessment, healthy lifestyles and chronic disease management.
An Executive Board, consisting of representatives from the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Health Council of South Florida, Inc. and all committee chairs provides oversight for the Consortium.
The Consortium works in a committee structure that allows the participants to work within their areas of interest and expertise.
The Elder Issues committee works to help elder community members live a safe and healthy lifestyle.
This Health and the Built Environment committee addresses issues related to the impact the environment on health in the community.
This Health Promotion and Disease Prevention committee addresses chronic disease prevention through the promotion of healthy lifestyles including good nutrition, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco products.
The Marketing committee works to keep the community informed about Consortium activities and events.
The Oral Health committee reviews and implements, where possible, best practices for programs and policies that improve access to oral health care services for the uninsured and underserved in Miami-Dade.
The School Based Issues committee addresses health and wellness in the schools by promoting activities implemented through the Healthy School Initiative and advocates for creation and/or expansion of policies to promote greater health and wellness among Miami-Dade County students.
The Worksite Wellness committee promotes healthy lifestyles through worksite activities by sharing information on best practices and by creating partnerships to implement worksite wellness activities.
Committees meet monthly. General membership meetings are held every other month.
The Consortium is open to all who are interested.
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