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The purpose of this document is to serve as a framework for the Health Council of South Florida, Inc. as it engages community partners to address the Council’s strategic health planning and organizational priorities. The Council is committed to making a difference in some of the most critical issues affecting the health status of all residents of Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. This commitment can best be realized through the Council’s core results-oriented products and services, which include:
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Strategic and community-based planning with institutions, organizations and communities from all areas of healthcare and healthy community-building projects
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Coordinated networks of support and community collaboration that are integrated within a diverse, environment providing culturally competent programs that effectively bring about change
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Translation of objective and reliable community data on health-related issues, health status, health care access and utilization, health disparities, and health beliefs and behaviors into community education and advocacy efforts
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A dynamic forum where all segments of the community meet for reasoned discussions which clarify issues and present ideas that generate opportunities and enthusiasm for feasible solutions to the common goal of improved health
The Council’s Board of Directors has pledged to focus public attention on three leading public health issues over the next three years. They are:
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HIV/AIDS:
The AIDS Insurance Continuation Program (AICP) is the most cost-effective means to ensure that many persons with HIV/AIDS continue to maintain insurance coverage and access to medical care and treatment. AICP provides continuity of care for individuals and families while saving public funds. Expansion of this program is essential to provide coverage for more persons as we intensify our efforts to educate the public about insurance continuation services and access to care for low income Floridians living with HIV/AIDS.
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Access to Care and Program Evaluation:
The number of uninsured residents in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties continues to grow at an alarming rate, presenting an evolving community challenge for a navigable healthcare system providing appropriate, convenient, and affordable healthcare. The Council recognizes the need to formulate innovative strategies and implementation plans that will address the health care access barriers of the residents of said counties, particularly the medically underserved and those who lack a medical home. Outcome measurement and impact evaluation should also be more widely implemented in order to clearly demonstrate reduction of barriers and increased access to quality care, as well as the efficient use of system resources. To this end, the Council will seek and maintain partnerships with key organizations and diverse audiences with a community-wide focus on the total health needs of the community centered on access to healthcare.
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Health Promotion:
Lifestyle practices constitute an important component of health promotion and disease prevention. Formulating a comprehensive health agenda requires attention to health at the community and individual level. The Council, through its study of healthy lifestyle trends, will bring attention to effective health promotion strategies, with special focus on evidence-based best practices. Health measures will include overall health status, health screenings, modifiable health risks related to nutrition and physical activity, daily stress levels, racial and ethnic health disparities, and barriers to healthcare access, including primary care services and prescriptions. The Council will also encourage all health promotion initiatives to include outcome and impact evaluation to ensure that sustained individual behavioral change occurs and contributes to changes in established community health status indicators.
Our 2008-2011 Strategic Plan reflects these health priorities. We look forward to working closely with the community in establishing new partnerships to affect change and leverage our collective resources. We encourage feedback and recommendations from local leaders, consumers, providers and purchasers of health care on these important health issues that will have a significant impact on the health of all of us and our community in the years ahead. Together we can reduce the HIV/AIDS burden of illness, mitigate health disparities, and promote healthy lifestyle practices among our children, adults and elders, raising the quality of life and being a catalyst for a healthy South Florida community.
To view the 2008-2011 Strategic Plan, click here.
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