With obesity directly linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes which are major causes of death and preventable hospital stays, the startling statistic galvanized a movement among stakeholders across Polk County. Working cooperatively with the Florida Department of Health, Polk Vision convened a large cross-sector group of subject matter experts to prioritize objectives in addressing the alarming rate of obesity in our community. This group came to be known as Building a Healthier Polk and has been working to develop healthy habits and behaviors in key settings across our community.
Currently, three Building a Healthier Polk Teams are built on objectives targeting School Health, Primary Care Physicians, and Worksite Wellness.
The importance of having each of these Teams focused on promoting a united message cannot be overstated. Common language and central communication is essential to keeping these cross-sector professionals aligned as they work towards the long-term goal of improving the healthy weight rate in our community.
Reducing obesity rates and increasing the healthy weight rate of our citizens is a long-term effort. The Building a Healthier Polk Teams are committed to reducing the obesity (BMI >30) rate in Polk County to less than the state average (36.9% to 26.4% in 2013). The Florida Department of Health in Polk County includes the work of these Teams into its 2016-2020 Community Health Improvement Plan.
Picture Of Health Episode 13 Featuring Polk Vision
Building a Healthier Polk LEAD Panel Discussion:
Click on image to view Building a Healthier Polk 3 Year Summary Report
Building a Healthier Polk
Adrienne Adcock Marcia Andresen
Everest University - Lakeland Board of County Commissioners
Kelly Andrews Liz Antaya
Florida Southern College Stahl & Associates Insurance
Lyndy Armstrong Cauney Bamberg
Southeastern University Watson Clinic Foundation
Sandy Bates Paula Blackwelder
My Health Coach, Inc Team Beach Body
Penny Borgia Nicole Brasseur
United Way of Cental Florida Florida Department of Health
Judy E. Buss Lisa Callahan
Health Columnist Winter Haven Hospital
Ermelinda Centeno Ulyee Choe
Central Florida Health Care Florida Department of Health
Alice Collins Sheryl Cooper
YMCA of West Central Florida Florida Department of Health
Deanna Deforest Barbara Donley
BodySong Wellness Watson Clinic
Suzanne Durden Tammy Durden
Florida Department of Health Florida Department of Health
Abby Elias Tonya Enos
Florida Southern College Florida Department of Health
Kim Eubanks Carly T. Evans
Polk Health Care Plan Everest University - Lakeland
Megan Fain Joan Fitchett
Community Leader Watson Clinic
Taylor Freeman Carol Fox
Florida Department of Health Lakeand Regional Health
Whitney Fung Peggy Carrett
Polk Indigent HealthCare Watson Clinic Foundation
Beth Geohagan Daniel Haight
BeFly Bike Tours Lakeland Regional Health
Schatzie Haines Cathy Hatch
Lanier Upshaw Community Leader
Linda Hawbaker Don Hicks
Florida Department of Health Team Beach Body
Jill Hoagland Carol Hughes
Florida Department of Health Grace Wellness
Joy Jackson Corlis Johnson
Florida Department of Health My Natures Delight
Joy Johnson Jenna Kaczmarski
Polk Health Care Plan Polk County School District
Audrey Kelley Cherie Kercher
Polk County School District YMCA of West Central Florida
Rachel Kilburn Susan Kistler
Better Bladder Center Florida Department of Health
Collette Lawson Diane Longstreet
The Health Councils, Inc Keiser University
Colleen Mangan Michael McElveen
Florida Department of Health Florida Southern College
Paula McGhee Leah Millet
Polk Health Care Plan Baycare Health Systems
Jamie Moore Karen Moore
Lake Wales Care Center Peace River Center
Andy Orrell Andy Palmer
Board of County Commissioners City of Winter Haven
Joy Pedersen Rick Perez
Holistic Chamber of Commerce City of Lakeland
Emily Plank Debbie Prescott
InnerAct Alliance Florida Prosperity Partnership
Christine Reddy Ryan Reis
Watson Clinic Keiser University - Lakeland
Chris Richard Sara Roberts
Rich Kids Project Polk Vision
Garrett Robinson Emily Rogers
Vemma Emily Rogers Coaching
Kim Rose Teri Saunders
Team Beach Body Heartland for Children
Lisa Schlagel Lauren Shinholster
Winter Haven Hospital Safe Routes to School
Scott Sjoblom Laurel Smith
Florida Departement of Health Polk State College
Adam Stephens Patty Strickland
YMCA of West Central Florida Community Leader
Stefania Sweet Brenda Taguri
Florida Department of Health Polk County School District
Amy Taylor Michele Taylor
Lakeland Regional Health Lets Move Health and Fitness, Inc.
Sara Terrell Julia Thillet
Florida Southern College All Children's Hospital
Cathy Thornhill Holly Vida
Chat & Chew Citizens' Oversight Committee
Nat West Tom Wodrich
Community Leader Board of County Commissioners
Beverly Williams - Kerr Dana Wing - Reed
Chat & Chew/ Florence Villa Student
Kathleen Wright Suzanne Wright
Polk County School District Florida Deoartment of Health
Tammy Wright Debbie Zimmerman
Community Leader Polk County School District