The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant

Healthy Communities, Healthy People Program:

The Healthy Communities, Healthy People Program is charged to develop and implement policy and environmental interventions with a primary and/or secondary focus targeting the Healthy People 2010 objective areas: nutrition/overweight, physical activity, and tobacco which are the top three leading preventable risk factors for chronic diseases and disabilities. These county/community programs mobilize community resources and partnerships to target communities, schools, worksites, healthcare, faith-based organizations and other groups to implement interventions that will have a lasting impact on health behaviors. County project coordinators develop and submit an annual work plan that includes: the Healthy People 2010 objectives selected; local impact objectives; policy and environmental interventions, activities, and indicators; community partners; media activities; and an evaluation plan.

Sexual Violence Intervention - Sexual Violence Prevention Program:

The Sexual Violence Prevention Program's Victim Services component provides funding for accessibility of services to primary victims of sexual violence. Services include 24/7 hotlines in local communities*, crisis intervention, advocacy and accompaniment (including legal and medical), medical and forensic exams*, therapy, support groups and information and referral. Services also include case management and system coordination on behalf of the client.

*Service funded through another program source.

Community Water Fluoridation - Public Health Dental Program:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes fluoridation as one of the top ten public health achievements of the twentieth century. Florida has surpassed the Healthy People 2010 goal of 75% of persons on community water systems having fluoridated water. Currently, in Florida, the percentage of persons on community water systems with fluoridation is at 78.7%, up from 65.8% in 2001. Every dollar spent on community water fluoridation saves an average of $7-$42 in dental treatment procedures. You may determine if your community has fluoridation by using the Department of Health's List of Optimally Flouridated Communities along with the CDC's Oral Health Resources website.

The number of local coalitions in Florida communities that are actively pursuing or encouraging communities to maintain fluoridation has increased in recent years. Local coalitions have been critical in mobilizing their communities to get their community water systems fluoridated. These small groups of dedicated health advocates have made a huge difference in the smiles of many Floridians. At the state level, Oral Health Florida (OHF) is a multi-sector oral health coalition, dedicated to advancing oral and general health and wellbeing while maximizing critical partnerships, coordination and collaboration in efforts to reduce oral health disparities. OHF has a statewide workgroup dedicated to increasing fluoridation in Florida. Information about the statewide and local coalitions is available on the website, www.oralhealthflorida.com. Information on the OHF Fluoridation Workgroup is under the heading labeled Statewide Oral Health workgroup opportunities and initiatives.

Citizens that are looking to move their community out of the 22% percent of Floridians on community water systems without fluoridation can join an existing coalition or create a new coalition and the Department of Health can help!

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