The Florida Department of Health is proud to recognize Manatee County as a 2018 Healthy Community Champion. Citing the county’s dedication to providing access to bicycle routes, parks, greenways, farm stands, a community orchard and a formal comprehensive employee wellness program, Manatee stood out as one of ten Florida counties to receive this honor.
“Manatee County’s commitment to the health of its residents demonstrates an ongoing assurance to the community,” said Dr. Jennifer Bencie, Health Officer with the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County. “Not only does it encourage the physical and mental wellbeing of current citizens, it makes the county a more enticing place for new residents and businesses to call home.”
The Healthy Community Champions Recognition Program provides an opportunity to highlight local governments that have focused on improving the built environment - places where people live, work and play (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, open spaces and infrastructure), food environments (e.g., supermarkets, corner stores, farmers’ markets and food pantries), and other environmental influences (e.g., indoor/outdoor air and water quality, noise pollution and environmental toxins).
The built environment can influence residents' physical, nutritional, and mental health within their community by providing adequate access to physical activity opportunities, adequate access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods, access to health care and a reduction or elimination of environmental health risks to the community. Through communities working to implement policies within the built environment, a greater level of social connectedness can be experienced by all.
About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County on Twitter at @HealthyManatee. For the Florida Department of Health’s state office, visit @HealthyFla on Twitter and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.