Miami Gardens’ goal of reducing preventable diseases by encouraging residents to go to the doctor resonates with residents and city employees.

Miami Gardens, FL (November 10, 2022) – October was Take Your Loved One to the Doctor Month. In preparation for the monthlong event, the City of Miami Gardens launched its annual campaign to give residents updated information on healthcare options and to get them to participate and pledge to get out and put their household in order, starting with annual healthcare and doctor visits.
It resulted in over 80 percent of the population re-engaging in the annual campaign and pledging to not just go to the doctor, but also to take family and encourage friends and neighbors to do the same. The message also engaged city employees to take advantage of the programs offered by Miami Gardens and take a harder look at how they were managing their health both pre and post pandemic levels.

This is what was done and here are the outcomes:

– The city engaged agency partners, community voices, educators, and influencers to get the word out and increase
awareness and drive residential engagement.

– Residents were asked to pledge to take themselves and a loved on to the doctor for an annual check-up within the
next 90 days.

– Partner agencies include:
* CFCE – Center for Family & Child Enrichment
* Jessie Trice Community Health System
* Universal Medical Clinic
* UHI Community Care Clinic

– Partner agencies performed FREE screenings for residents and offered vaccines for Flu and Covid for those that
came in for their annual check-ups.

– Well woman care, mental health and dental health screenings were also offered at various agencies.

– A Virtual Health Summit hosted by Tamara G of Lyte-fm occurred on Tuesday, October 25th.

– Launched a new normal campaign to engage residents in maintaining health actions that can reduce infection rates to common airborne communicable viruses like COVID and the Flu.

Overall numbers reflect:
– 436 pledges
– 159 FREE health screenings
– 638 survey participants
– Over 80 percent of residents currently have health insurance, a primary care physician
– Over 50% requested appointment assistance to get Free health screenings at partnering agencies
– Almost 80% agreed to be held accountable for their pledges by requesting a follow up contact in 90 days to check their outcomes

The City of Miami Gardens healthcare outcomes for Take Your Loved One to the Doctor Month was such a success that it has launched a NEW Get Active Campaign to keep residents engaged and committed to maintaining healthier lifestyles. Miami Gardens’ initiatives are garnering recognition by other cities and serves as an example of how cities, its residents and its leaders can work towards Living Healthier TOGETHER. Recognizing then offering solutions where there is a need for healthcare options is a great opportunity for Miami Gardens to enrich their communities. Increased positive health outcomes yield healthier communities with enriched and empowered residents.