USING DATA TO BUILD A BETTER TOMORROW: 

RURAL ACTION CAUCUS – LEON COUNTY, FL

Kitty Jerome Action Center Director for Coaching & OutreachCounty Health Rankings & Roadmaps

December 8, 2016

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps is a partnership of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University 

of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

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WWW.COUNTYHEALTHRANKINGS.ORG

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RURAL‐URBAN DIFFERENCES

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FLORIDA HAS SEEN HEALTH GAINS

Since the late 1990s Florida’s premature death rates have improved by nearly 17%

But not everyone is sharing in these health gains

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300

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450

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1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014

Premature Death Trends by Level of Urbanization in FloridaAge‐adjusted Mortality Rate under age 75 per 100,000 people

Large Urban Metro

Large Suburban Metro

Smaller Metro

Rural

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FLORIDA GAPS IN OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HEALTHYRLarge Central Metro  Large Suburban Metro  Smaller Metro  Rural

Some college

Unemployment

Uninsured

Children in poverty

BEST WORST

20% 22% 24% 26% 28% 30% 32% 34%

6.0% 6.1% 6.2% 6.3% 6.4% 6.5% 6.6% 6.7% 6.8% 6.9% 7.0%

35%40%45%50%55%60%65%

23% 24% 24% 25% 25% 26% 26%

Severe housing problems

18% 19% 20% 21% 22% 23% 24% 25% 26% 27% 28%

C MS

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WHAT IF?...

544,000 fewer adult smokers

479,000 fewer adults who are obese

296,000  more adults ages 25‐44 with education beyond HS

147,000 fewer people who are unemployed

196,000  fewer children in poverty

How many people could live longer, healthier lives if everyone had the opportunities of those in the best 

performing counties of Florida?

9www.countyhealthrankings.org/rural

Federally qualified health centers Increase support for non‐profit health care organizations that receive federal funding and deliver comprehensive care to uninsured, underinsured, and vulnerable patients regardless of ability to pay

College access programs Help underrepresented students prepare academically for college, complete applications, and enroll, especially first generation applicants and students from low income families

Vocational training for adults Support acquisition of job‐specific skills through education, certification programs, or on‐the‐job training

Career Academies Establish small learning communities in high schools focused on fields such as health care, finance, technology, communications, or public service

Transitional Jobs Establish time‐limited, subsidized, paid job opportunities to provide a bridge to unsubsidized employment

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