The Health Council of South Florida, Inc.

The Health Council of South Florida (HCSF) is one of eleven local health councils created by S 408.033 to coordinate health services planning across the state. Insofar as the Health Council of South Florida has determined that health services are and must be based on a foundation of ethics, our strategic goals emphasize reducing disparities in access to care, improving health promotion, and minimizing the effects of HIV/AIDS, with an emphasis on Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

For over 50 years, the Council has set the standard for excellence in health planning by serving as an objective source of healthcare information, fostering community dialogue on contemporary health issues and developing solutions for emerging health needs. As the preferred partner for strategic and community-based planning, the HCSF provides substantial benefits to the residents and health care providers in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Our beliefs: We serve as an objective, independent voice for the public-at-large as it relates to the quality of life and healthcare; Basic health care benefits are a right, not a privilege and access to a basic set of health services and information should be provided to everyone, at a cost the community can afford; Greater focus should be placed on wellness and prevention, as a measure to complement the system of care; Consumers have the right to receive culturally and linguistically competent services and care that respects the individual's personal, philosophical, and religious beliefs; Access to quality and current health care and health-related quality of life data is critical in making sound strategic decisions regarding your business, your community, program interventions and policy evaluation.

Healthcare leaders have the responsibility to work together proactively to reduce disparities in health status, outcomes, and care.