Community Health Education

The Community Health Education Division works to prevent chronic disease by making the healthy choice the easy choice. Chronic diseases - such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes - are the leading causes of death and disability in Florida. Although these diseases are among the most costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these chronic diseases. Community Health Education collaborates with community partners to develop and implement strategies to prevent or reduce risk factors for chronic disease. By doing this, Community Health Education's goal is to improve the overall health and quality of life for Nassau County's residents.

Current strategies that promote physical activity, proper nutrition and an overall healthier lifestyle through awareness of health risks:

• Improving access to health care and social services by maintaining, promoting and dispersing information regarding community resources.

• Partnering with community partners to promote health and walking.

• Training local agencies, worksites and other community organizations to host their own education classes and programs through the "train the trainer" lending library.

Sample Notice for Employer-Sponsored Wellness Programs

New rules published on May 17, 2016, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require employers that offer wellness programs that collect employee health information to provide a notice to employees informing them what information will be collected, how it will be used, who will receive it, and what will be done to keep it confidential. The EEOC has published a sample notice to help employers comply with the ADA.