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Healthy Communities/Healthy People Program

The Healthy Communities, Healthy People Program is a statewide network of community projects working to prevent chronic disease by making the healthy choice the easy choice.

Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes - are the leading causes of death and disability in Florida. Although these diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these chronic diseases.

The Healthy Communities, Healthy People Program works at both the local and statewide levels to improve Florida's health and quality of life by promoting policy and environmental strategies that complement and support individual and family efforts to make healthy choices. Examples of this include, but are not limited to the following:

• Increasing access to and use of attractive and safe locations for physical activity in the built environment;
• Increasing healthy food choices in restaurants, grocery stores, work sites, and schools;
• Increasing farmers markets and community gardens to provide affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables for Floridians;
• Increasing availability and reimbursement of chronic disease preventative health services across health systems; and
• Increasing the availability of tobacco prevention and cessation education opportunities in schools and work sites.

Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with state and local health and education agencies, voluntary associations, faith-based settings, and other organizations. Together, the Department of Health and its partners are working to create a healthy Florida.

Current Programs Available in Nassau County:

Diabetes Self-Management Classes: For anyone with, at risk for, or caring for an individual with diabetes. This is a four part series offered over 4 weeks for 2 hours one night/week. Classes focus on carbohydrate counting, general overview of diabetes including facts and myths, blood glucose monitoring/A1C and long-term complications. Fees for this program are as follows: $20 for Nassau County School District employees and Local Nassau county government employees; $40.00 for public; and free to LIP patients.  Fees can be waived on a case by case basis for individuals with limited income.

Healthy Lifestyles Classes: A nutrition and healthy lifestyle education class. This is a 4 week program that meets one night a week for 2 hours. Eating healthy, heart health education, weight control and other health issues are covered in this class. Fees for this program are as follows: $20 for Nassau County School District employees and Local Nassau county government employees; $40.00 for public.  Fees can be waived on a case by case basis for individuals with limited income.

Healthy Cooking Classes: A nutrition and healthy lifestyle education.  This is a 4 week program that meets one night a week for 2 hours. Healthy meals are prepared and class participants learn how to follow recipes, health benefits of the foods, and how to make healthy recipe substitutions. Fees for this program are as follows: $20 for Nassau County School District employees and Local Nassau county government employees; $40.00 for public.  Fees can be waived on a case by case basis for individuals with limited income.

MCLC Childhood Obesity Collaborative: A multi-county learning collaborative to reduce childhood obesity funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Only 10 counties throughout the state were selected by the DOH Office of Performance Improvement. In Nassau County, Callahan Elementary school is our pilot school. The Peaceful Playground Programs was implemented.  The goal of this project is for children to decrease non-activity during recess.  This project is now expanded to Yulee Primary School.   

If you or your organization is interested in promoting a healthy environment or interested in learning more about living a healthy lifestyle, please contact your local The Healthy Communities/Healthy People Program Manager at (904) 548-1853.