Improving Community Well-Being and Addressing Key Health Issues During National Public Health Week
The place we call home – where we live, work and play – contributes immensely to our well-being. That’s the focus of the 30th anniversary of National Public Health Week from April 7-13.
A variety of organizations monitor the well-being of Polk County residents and the overall public health. These include Polk Vision and Central Florida Health Care, among others. They work together to advocate for healthy communities, providing services that range from health care to community vision initiatives.
Polk Vision
Polk Vision is a partnership of organizations, businesses, governments and individuals who work together to develop a community vision and to ensure it is implemented.
As the organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, it updated its goals and visions, which includes Quality of Life. That vision reads: “Before 2030, Polk County will have a Quality of Life that encourages diverse backgrounds to live in harmony while developing physically, spiritually, mentally, and culturally, within a healthy and safe environment.”
“When we refer to ‘well-being’ we are reaching beyond the physical health of individuals,” said Polk Vision Executive Director Kim Long. “It encompasses our level of comfort with the environment, our social interactions, our feelings of being safe and secure in our homes and neighborhoods, and the accessibility of services.”
Gauging Public Health
In August 2024, Polk Vision issued its Community Vision Comprehensive update, which included the results of surveys, interviews, focus groups and more – all to take the pulse of the community. On quality of life, the report says:
“Community members expressed mixed sentiments regarding the overall Quality of Life in Polk County. Residents have a strong affinity for the community and cherish the distinctive hometown character that is found across the county. Many expressed feeling overwhelmed by the number of new housing developments, the strain on existing resources, and the never-before-experienced traffic congestion. This widely shared viewpoint emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between inevitable residential growth and preserving the qualities that make Polk County a desirable place to live.”
Sherrie Pratt, Media & Communications Specialist at Central Florida Health Care (CFHC), said several factors contribute to a community’s well-being.
“Communities need access to quality and affordable healthcare for their well-being,” she said. “This includes not only medical care, but dental and behavioral health services. It’s important for communities to have available resources for everyone to stay healthy, including recreational areas to improve physical and mental health, access to healthy, fresh food and affordable housing.”
CFHC is a non-profit health care organization that was started in Frostproof in 1972. It now operates across 16 sites in the Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties.
Life in Polk County
Like many others, Pratt categorizes life in Polk County as positive, for the most part.
“…More resources are needed to keep up with the growth. Polk County is a safe place to live and a great place to raise a family. More jobs are opening in the area, and healthcare is growing too.”
Growth in healthcare encompasses everything from resident programs at hospitals in Lakeland and Winter Haven, a multitude of new free-standing emergency departments, a new Veterans Administration building in Lakeland and so much more. They help unify the county.
“Polk County, though growing larger, is a tight knit community where many organizations in different cities work closely together to make the county a great place to live. There are many recreational areas, there are several healthcare providers, the crime rate is low and there are numerous faith-based facilities.”
The medical organization continues to grow, keeping pace with the need for more services, Pratt said. “It’s a huge factor in making our community healthier as our resources benefit overall health. Specialty services can also be very expensive. CFHC now offers endocrinology, rheumatology and podiatry services, which is a huge benefit for those who need those services to live their healthiest life.”
Access to Care
Central Florida Health Care (CFHC) provides healthcare to anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, Pratt said. “It’s a patient-centered medical home that puts the patient first. While it accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most insurances, it allows the uninsured and underinsured to use a sliding fee scale to provide affordable payments.”
CFHC also has pharmacies in most locations that offer prescriptions at lower costs. “So if a patient can’t afford medication elsewhere, they won’t have to miss taking it,” she said. “This improves the overall health for the community. CFHC also helps keep people out of the emergency room.”
Long said managing growth is our biggest challenge. “Most residents are feeling this in matters related to infrastructure and keeping up economically. So affordable attainable housing and earning a living wage are top concerns.”
But not the only ones.
“The biggest and most often repeated observation that we hear is the impact that rapid growth is having on our ‘sense of place,’ ‘sense of belonging’ and the loss of our ‘culture,’” Long said.
The Bottom Line
Public health and community well-being are delicate and increasingly important topics. There will always be challenges to improving quality of life, like keeping up with Polk County’s rapid population growth.
Organizations like Polk Vision and Central Florida Health Care and others have served Polk relentlessly, seeking to always improve life and resources for residents. Quality of life and community initiatives are important in Polk County and resources are made available to enhance the lives and access to care for residents. The well-being of Polk County’s residents remains a top priority, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
