Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Overview of the Bureau
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are among the most prevalent, costly, and preventable of all health problems. In Florida in 2002, almost one of every three deaths was due to heart disease, and almost one of every four deaths was due to cancer. However, consideration of deaths alone severely understates the burden of chronic disease. The prolonged course of illness and disability from chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis results in extended pain and suffering as well as in decreased quality of life for thousands of Floridians. Our state cannot reduce its enormous health care costs, much less its priority health problems, without addressing the prevention of chronic disease in a fundamentally more aggressive manner.
Established in March 1998, the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has expanded its capacity to provide a comprehensive approach to preventing, detecting, and reducing complications of chronic diseases in Florida. The bureau currently houses the following programs: Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Step Up, Florida! Healthy Communities Program, Obesity Prevention, Diabetes Prevention and Control, Comprehensive Cancer Control, Arthritis Prevention and Education, Epilepsy, and Coordinated School Health. The bureau receives funding from a variety of federal and state sources, including the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state trust funds, and general revenue.
The Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion strives to be a leader in developing a unified statewide system to prevent, detect, and reduce complications of chronic diseases. Toward that end, the bureau collaborates with public, private, and voluntary organizations; establishes and participates in councils and partnerships; and obtains funding for planning and program development. The bureau is responsible for assessing the status of chronic diseases in the state and the adequacy of resources available for prevention, health promotion, and education. The bureau develops policies and recommends and reviews legislation. The various programs within the bureau provide education and technical assistance, conduct monitoring of funded programs, and participate in the county health department quality improvement review process.
For more the informtion visit http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/chronicdisease/