FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MARION COUNTY ANNOUNCES FLORIDA HEALTHY BABIES COMMUNITY MEETING

Contact:
Craig Ackerman
Craig.Ackerman@FLHealth.gov
352-629-0137, ext. 2052

Ocala, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is pleased to announce it will
be hosting a community meeting to discuss Florida Healthy Babies. Florida Healthy Babies is a
collaborative statewide initiative designed to positively influence social determinants of health
and reduce racial disparities in infant mortality. The meeting will take place at the College of
Central Florida Webber Conference Center on Wednesday, June 29, at 1 p.m.
“Healthy babies are the future of Marion County,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion
County Health Officer Erin Hess. “Our goals are to make the community aware of the
challenges families face, and to get input from the community on how to best meet those
challenges.”
Recently, the department invested $1.4 million in the Florida Healthy Babies initiative, which is
an effort of the department’s Health Equity Program Council. The Health Equity Program
Council focuses on helping all Floridians achieve health equity. Part of the funding was provided
to all 67 counties to conduct an enhanced data analysis of infant mortality and to host
community-action planning meetings to address disparities in infant mortality.

What: Florida Department of Health in Marion County Florida Healthy Babies Community Meeting
When: Wednesday, June 29 1 p.m.
Where: College of Central Florida Webber Conference Center 3001 SW College Road Ocala, FL 34474

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit Marion.FloridaHealth.gov.