The Healthy State Initiative

With a southern city listed as one of the fattest cities in the nation and a northern city listed as one of the fittest, Florida is at a crossroads when it comes to having a healthy state. While Jacksonville jumped from years past to become even fitter, Miami fell even further securing its place as one of the fattest. But how could that be? It’s the same climate, same state – they should be equally as fit, but unfortunately that is not the case.
That is why programs like A Healthy State are imperative to creating a more unified state – health-wise. A program designed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, A Healthy State helps Florida residents on Medicaid learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. If you don’t what you are doing wrong, you will never know how to make it right.
The basis behind the program is two-fold: one, make Floridians healthier and thereby, two, lowering the staggering costs of health related services for the ill and overweight. It’s a simple equation, when you are healthy, you see the doctor less. The program is run by a team of professionals who assist participants with everything from learning about their condition to how to talk to their doctor, from what not to eat to how to stay fit. They give interested parties the tools and resources to make educated and healthful decisions about themselves.
Physicians participate in this program, as well. Florida doctors and hospitals are given training on how to deal with these participants and how to communicate with them to encourage their healthy lifestyle. The state of Florida is committed to making this program work and touching the lives of our residents who need it most. In its first year the program helped 150,000 patients and the numbers continue to grow.
From community support and the dedication of the plans participants, this program will help so many more people across the state. For more information on becoming a part of the A Healthy State initiative, contact the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.