HIP to Participate in Ocala and Gainesville Pride Events

Local Businesses Help End HIV Through Business Responds to AIDS

Local businesses are invited to participate in Business Responds to AIDS, a partnership between WellFlorida Council and businesses interested in ending HIV/AIDS. Businesses participating in the program provide prevention messages and materials to customers, employees and neighborhoods, and can also serve as a free HIV testing site.

Business Responds to AIDS is a component of WellFlorida’s High Impact Prevention (HIP) program. The program helps to raise community awareness about HIV/AIDS, motivate residents in high prevalence neighborhoods to get tested, increase the number of persons who […]

August 15, 2019

Certificate of Need Update

The Certificate of Need (CON) program has been eliminated for general hospitals as of July 1. CON, which has been in effect in Florida since the 1970’s, is a regulatory process that requires certain healthcare providers to obtain state approval before offering certain new or expanded services. WellFlorida provides services for the Florida CON program, including facilitating public hearings on proposed CON projects, monitoring approved projects and filing status reports to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The new law keeps CON requirements for […]

August 15, 2019

WellFlorida CEO Discusses Rising Cost of Healthcare on IN FOCUS

WellFlorida CEO Jeff Feller was one of three guests on Spectrum News 1 In Focus with Allison Walker Torres. The topic, rising cost of healthcare, explored issues surrounding Medicare, affordable prescription drugs and the burden of healthcare costs on families and seniors. Jeff was joined by guests Karen van Caulil, Ph.D., President and CEO of Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value (formerly the Florida Health Care Coalition), and Rep. Stephanie Murphy [D – U.S. House District 7]. Watch the three part show by clicking the links below:

August 15, 2019

Community Health Needs Assessments for Central Florida Health Service Area Now Available

WellFlorida News Release

Central Florida Health and WellFlorida Council have recently released reports that assess the health of Lake, Sumter and Marion counties. The reports provide data on the health of the region and identify priority issues for improvement. Two assessments, along with the 2019 Central Florida Health Community Health Assessment Technical Appendix, are available at www.WellFlorida.org, select “Publications.”

According to the reports, residents consider quality of life to be good in the region. However, there is a shortage of services, especially for mental health, and […]

June 27, 2019

Local groups fight HIV stigma, look to encourage more testing

WCJB TV 20
By David Jones

Fighting stigmatization that has lasted for years in the discussion of HIV/AIDS was the topic of a training held Monday evening at the Bartley Temple United Methodist Church in Gainesville.

Mardrequs Harris from the Southern AIDS Coalition speaks to members of varying groups united in the fight against the stigmatization of H.I.V.

More than 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Out of that 1.1 million, one in seven do not know […]

June 13, 2019

Other

Group aims to reduce the spread of HIV locally

The Gainesville Iguana

The High Impact Prevention (HIP) project by WellFlorida Council aims to decrease the spread of HIV and link HIV-infected individuals to prevention and care services in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Lake, Marion and Putnam counties. The program is currently offering free HIV testing, condoms and educational materials at local events and participating businesses.

Everyone’s Doing It promotes condom use and HIV testing throughout the six counties. Testing is confidential, and teens do not need parental consent to be tested for HIV. Locate HIV testing sites […]

May 8, 2019

Hamilton and Columbia County Community Health Assessment Now Available

The Florida Department of Health and WellFlorida Council have recently released Community Health Assessments for Columbia and Hamilton counties. The assessments for each county, which are accompanied by the 2019 Columbia and Hamilton County Community Health Assessment Technical Appendix, provide data on the health of the region and identify priority issues for improvement. The reports are available atwww.WellFlorida.org, select “Publications.”

Community Health Assessments are used to assess the population’s health status, incorporate the needs and priorities of the population, highlight areas of unmet need and […]

May 8, 2019

DSME Mini-Grant Awards

Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Mini-Grant Funding Awards (FY 2018-2019):

University of Florida Board of Trustees

FDOH in Putnam

Heart of Florida Health Center

Dynamic Therapy and Wellness Services, Inc.

Accent Physician Specialists – Endocrinology Department

Diabetes Self-Management Education
People with diabetes who complete a diabetes self-management education (DSME) class are better able to manage their disease and prevent or delay complications. DSME is NOT a 24-hour nurse hotline or a brochure. Rather, it is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to disease management that meets national standards.

Funding Opportunity
The purpose of this funding is […]

April 11, 2019

Ocala summit addresses opioid addiction treatment gaps

Ocala Star Banner
By Carlos E. Medina

Panel: Behavioral health requires a more holistic approach to get people help earlier and reduce crisis situations.

Much of the focus on opioid addiction over the last couple of years has been on the immediate goal of reducing the number of overdoses and deaths due to heroin.

While that is an important component, it is only part of what entails a comprehensive program to treat addiction and mental health issues, according to a panel of behavioral health leaders whose organizations provide […]

April 5, 2019