Communities Putting Prevention to Work
CPPW Monthly Update August 2011
September Community Resource Calendar
The Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD) overall goal is to create
an environment that promotes and protects the health of our community through
prevention and preparedness today, for a healthier tomorrow; as well as, to continue to
bring awareness, education, and prevention initiatives to reduce the disparities among
minorities in Miami-Dade County. Through the MDCHD sponsored Consortium for a
Healthier Miami-Dade, we have developed a strong infrastructure, which offers the best
opportunity to make an impact on our residents burdened with chronic disease. Our
continued collaboration allows significant support from respected and high-ranked
officials in Miami-Dade County (MDC).
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community, In order to decrease the prevalence
of chronic disease and health disparities that exist in our community, it is imperative that
we not only focus on access to care but also deal with social and physical environments
that offer opportunities for positive health outcomes”
Lillian Rivera RN, MSN, PhD
Administrator Miami-Dade County Health Department
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 2,398,245 persons are living
in Miami-Dade County, making it the eighth largest county in the United States and the
most populous county in Florida (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008, American Community
Survey). The County has grown rapidly with 50% of the residents being foreign-born, a
percentage greater than any other County in the U.S. This makes Miami a large
multicultural, multi-linguistic population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008, American
Community Survey). Furthermore, 68% of residents age five and older speak another
language other than English at home, mostly Spanish and Creole (U.S. Census Bureau,
2006-08, American Community Survey). Unlike much of Florida, MDC has a relatively
young population with 29%, of the individuals under 18 years of age (U.S. Census
Bureau: State and County Quick Facts). In the State of Florida, close to 14% individuals
over the age of five with a disability reside in MDC. Only 22% of residents age 25 and
over have a bachelor’s degree or higher, an indicator of low educational attainment. In
2008, the median household income was $44,364 and the per capita income was $23,750
(U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey). With over 16% of
individuals living below poverty level, Miami-Dade County residents are at risk of poor
health status.
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROBLEMS
The 2006 PRC Community Health Survey: Living Healthy, Living Longer in
Miami-Dade County, Florida provides valuable information about the existing burden of
chronic diseases, health behaviors, risk factors and disparities observed in the county.
The survey indicates that an overwhelming 83.8% of respondents exhibit one or more of
the following cardiovascular risk factors: overweight/obese (63.7%), no leisure-time
physical activity in the past month (33.9%), high blood pressure (32.7%), high blood
cholesterol (32.1%), and cigarette smoking (11.8%). The survey estimates the at-risk
population in MDC at about 1.5 million. The data is aligned with the results from the
2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which indicated that 64.9%
of MDC adults were either obese or overweight. The prevalence of diabetes was
especially high among adults aged 40+, those living below the federal poverty level,
Hispanics, and Blacks (2006 PRC Community Health Survey).
MDC has one of the highest obesity prevalence rates in the State with 15-20% of
low-income children between two and five years of age participating in the WIC program
considered overweight, identifying this as a high-risk population (Pediatric Nutrition
Surveillance Survey, 2008). The 2007 Florida Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
(YRBSS) for MDC indicates that among high school students in grades 9 through 12,
13% were “obese”. Other prevalent risk factors include poor nutrition and physical
inactivity. Close to 76% of MDC high school students reported that they ate fruits and
vegetables less than recommended five times per day and 29% drank a can, bottle, or
glass of soda or pop (not including diet soda or diet pop) at least one time per day during
the preceding seven days of the survey (YRBSS, 2007). The 2007 YRBSS shows that
68% did not meet recommended levels of physical activity; 60% did not attend physical
education classes one 1 or more days in an average week when they were in school; 89%
did not attend physical education classes daily; and 45% watched television 3 or more
hours per day on an average school day. With only 23.1 of adults consuming the
recommended 5 or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables and 29.2% meeting the
daily recommendations for moderate physical activity levels MDC ranks 52nd and 62nd
out the 67 counties respectively (BRFSS, 2007).
COMMUNITY ASSETS
The Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, an initiative of the MDCHD, was
established in 2003 to address increasing rates of chronic disease in the County. Guided
by goals and objectives established by Healthy People 2010. Consortium members work
collaboratively in partnering with other organizations to better serve the community. The
successful implementation of the CPPW project is inherent in existing efforts and countywide
support that has been received through the CPPW Leadership Team and the
members of the Consortium for Healthier Miami-Dade. The leadership team will consist
of key representatives of local foundations, elected officials, community members, and
the academic community.
The Consortium is made up of approximately 160 local non-profits, hospitals,
governmental organizations, businesses, and the education community. An Executive
Board provides oversight and leadership with memberships consisting of representatives
from Miami-Dade County Health Department, the Health Council of South Florida, Inc.,
and chairs of Consortium committees. Six of the 11 Consortium Committees will
coordinate efforts on the CPPW projects and policy changes: (1) Elder Issues; (2) Health
and the Built Environment; (3) Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; (4) Worksite
Wellness; (5) Marketing and Membership; and (6) Children Issues. The Consortium is
committed to building consensus within Miami-Dade, to improve health care, promote
healthy lifestyles, and enhance health care information.
In 2008, the Consortium was recognized by the United States acting Surgeon
General – Steven Galson, and received an award for the work done to combat obesity in
the community. Consortium members have consistently participated in community
activities that have influenced policy, environmental and systematic changes. For
example the Elder Issues committee served as the planning body for the Mayor’s
Initiative on Aging, and develops/implements and evaluates a wellness and safety
community health initiative for adults 55 and older in Miami through the Mayor’s
Initiative on Aging to Life! This initiative resulted in programs at Senior Centers and the
hiring of a Senior Director at County Parks. The Children Issues committee influenced
policy changes in the Miami-Dade County Public School’s wellness policy by
participating and providing testimony to the Governor’s and Secretary of Health’s task
force and implemented the VERB campaign as one of the nine original roll out cities
federally indentified.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Miami-Dade County community, with key government and communitybased
leadership, has committed to advancing broad based policy changes from evidencebased
MAPPS1 and innovative interventions. High-ranking community leaders identified
have committed to participate on the CPPW Leadership Team. Leaders have agreed to
oversee strategic direction of project activities; be responsible for enacting policies
related to evidence-based MAPPS strategies; dedicate staff to serve on committees and
maintain organizational structure of governance for community coalition; plus actively
participate in project related local/national meetings to ensure commitment and
compliance.
Leadership Organization:
Cliff Bauer, MHA.
Healthcare Management Consultant
South Florida Hospital and Healthcare
Association
Maria deArmas, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Curriculum and Instruction
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Rene Garcia, MBA.
President
Rene & Garcia Associates
Jayne Greenberg, Ed.D., M.S.
Executive Director for Physical Education and Health Literacy
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Yolangel Hernandez-Suarez, M.D., FACOG, MBA.
Associate Dean
Florida International University
Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Roly Marante
Chief of Staff
Miami-Dade County - Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, District 6
Steven Marcus, Ed.D.
President and CEO
Health Foundation of South Florida
Annie Neasman, R.N., M.S.
President and CEO
Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc.
Linda Quick, M.S.M.
President and CEO
South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association
Lillian Rivera, Ph.D., R.N., M.S.N.
Administrator
Miami-Dade County Health Department
Bridget Smith, MPH.
Program Manager – CPPW
Miami-Dade County Health Department
Ann-Karen Weller, R.N., B.S.N., ICCE.
Director Office of Community Health and
Planning
Miami-Dade County Health Department
Nancy Wellman, Ph.D., R.D., FADA.
Professor of Dietetics and Nutrition
Florida International University
COMMUNITY STORY
The CPPW2 Project goal is to increase physical activity, improve nutritional
habits, and decrease screen time in order to manage the prevalence of obesity among the
underserved and underinsured population. To reach those geographical areas most at
risk, the CPPW Project will provide programs that are culturally appropriate, which will
promote a community-based and/or workplace-based intervention across the lifespan,
through implementation of the MAPPS strategies.
To reduce the incidence and burden of obesity in Miami-Dade County, the
Miami-Dade County Health Department’s Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade has
identified a set of goals, objectives and strategies that will guide the community toward a
joint effort in addressing the issue of obesity and its main lifestyle risk factors of physical
inactivity and poor nutrition. Two goals in particular that will be implemented through
the CPPW initiative are to “improve the access and knowledge of nutritious/healthy food
and beverage choices; and to “encourage and increase the opportunities to engage in
physical activity, through the adoption of policy, environment, and system changes in
public schools across Miami-Dade County.”
Through coordinated efforts and a strong partnership with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools,
the following nutrition and physical education activities will be implemented:
incorporate the Farm-to-SchoolPro gram into the District’s food procurement procedures
in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture guidelines with a goal of ensuring
our students have access to the freshest, highest quality, and most nutritionally-rich foods available;
the development of school meal and snack programs; installation of refrigerated, reimbursable healthy
vending machines through 45 senior high schools, allowing greater access and
consumption of healthy meals; increase the number of elementary schools that implement
the CDC-endorsed Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids curriculum; and increase
the number of 9th grade students taking physical education; increase the number of
MDCPS staff who engage in regular physical activity by providing an employee wellness
center.
The Miami-Dade County’s Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, as well as,
key government, community-based leaders, and the Miami-Dade community, will work
towards preventing chronic diseases and improving the health of our nation.
COMMUNITY CONTACT
If you have any questions or inquiries, regarding the Miami-Dade County Communities
Putting Prevention to Work Project, you may contact:
Bridget Smith
Master of Public Health, Specialization in Environmental Health & Epidemiology
Bachelor of Science in Health Science Education, Specialization in Health Promotion
Program Manager for Communities Putting Prevention to Work
Miami-Dade County Health Department, Office of Community Health and Planning
West Perrine Health Center
18255 Homestead Avenue. Miami, FL 33157
Phone: (305) 278-0442
Fax: (305) 278-0441
Email: Bridget_Smith@doh.state.fl.us
Website: www.dadehealth.org and/or www.healthymiamidade.org/
