Andy Edwards

The 2022-2027 Florida Tobacco Strategic Plan aims to improve public health by reducing tobacco use and eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke and electronic vapor product aerosol across the state. The plan focuses on six key priority areas: preventing youth and young adult tobacco initiation, eliminating secondhand smoke and electronic vapor product aerosol exposure, promoting quitting among Floridians, identifying and eliminating tobacco-related disparities, establishing and enhancing statewide tobacco control leadership, and increasing research and monitoring of emerging tobacco products and industry tactics. The overarching vision is to enable all Florida residents to live in environments that support good health, free from the harms of commercial tobacco.

The steering committee meeting provided updates on the implementation of the 2022--2026 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) and discussed priority-level progress for Year 2. Key discussions included updates on statewide youth health initiatives from the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Education, highlighting increases in youth mental health funding and decreases in involuntary Baker Act examinations attributed to Mobile Response Teams and legislative reforms. The Department of Juvenile Justice provided an overview of services for youth in custody. Workgroup progress reports covered Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), with the finalization of an ADRD Resource Guide and Caregiver Toolkit. The Chronic Diseases and Conditions workgroup reported on Quitline promotion, the Health Heart Ambassador Program, and legislation funding dental residents in underserved counties. The Injury, Safety, and Violence workgroup highlighted achievements in drowning prevention and occupant protection, while the Maternal and Child Health workgroup reported on advancements in health care transformation and maternal discharge risk assessments. The Mental Well-Being and Substance Abuse Prevention workgroup noted reductions in opioid deaths and increases in behavioral health workforce support. The Social and Economic Factors Contributing to Health workgroup exceeded several objectives related to education and environmental data sources. Finally, the Transmissible and Emerging Diseases workgroup reported progress in viral suppression and expanding PrEP pilot programs. Public comment included an announcement regarding the re-launch of the Zero to Three program focusing on early childhood development.

The State Health Improvement Plan Steering Committee meeting focused on establishing priority health issues for the 2022-2026 State Health Improvement Plan and identifying membership for the related priority area workgroups (PAWs). Key discussion areas included Chronic Diseases and Conditions, Mental Well-being and Substance Abuse Prevention, Transmissible and Emerging Diseases, Injury, Safety and Violence, Maternal and Child Health, and Social and Economic Conditions Impacting Health. The committee members discussed ensuring subject matter expertise, community input, and alignment with health equity principles across all PAWs. Specific topics included analyzing chronic conditions with complexities, the role of mental well-being and prevention, incorporating infectious disease surveillance, addressing domestic violence and injury prevention, focusing on maternal health outcomes like congenital syphilis and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, and emphasizing education access and housing stability under social and economic conditions impacting health. The State Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo, shared his interests and commitment to the plan.

The meeting focused on the 2021 State Health Assessment process and the planning for the 2022--2026 State Health Improvement Plan. Key topics included an overview of Florida demographics, highlighting concerns in urban and rural areas, and discussions on the leading causes of death. Guest speakers presented on specific priority areas such as Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), opioid use disorder, and the importance of behavioral health, mental health, and reducing stigma. Presentations also covered the Florida Transportation Plan's safety initiatives, the administration's focus on mental health and older adult needs, and efforts by various agencies concerning neonatal abstinence syndrome, suicide prevention, and addressing social determinants of health. Committee members engaged in a discussion about agency priorities, activities, and partnership needs, emphasizing health equity, data access, and workforce development. The timeline for completing the State Health Assessment and developing goals for the new State Health Improvement Plan, beginning implementation in January 2022, was also presented.

This document outlines the priority selection process for the Florida State Health Improvement Plan, focusing on identifying key health challenges and strategic priorities for the 2022-2026 period. It reviews past health issues and integrates findings from the 2021 State Health Assessment and Advisory Group recommendations. Key areas of focus for selection include behavioral health, healthcare access and quality, social and structural determinants of health, vulnerable populations, chronic and infectious diseases, injury prevention, diet and exercise, emergency preparedness, environmental health, tobacco use, and oral health, with the goal of developing actionable goals and objectives.