The Suncoast Health Council and the Health Council of West Central Florida are 2 of 11 local health councils established by the Florida Legislature Statute 408 in 1983. Collectively, these two agencies are known and operate as The Health Councils, Inc.

Each health council is an independent, private non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors appointed by County Commissioners to represent the concerns of health care consumers, providers, and purchasers at the local level.

The Suncoast Health Council, Inc. serves residents in Pasco and Pinellas counties, while the Health Council of West Central Florida, Inc. serves residents in Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk counties. Individually and collectively, the health councils collect and analyze health care data; describe community health status; identify health care needs and resources; and work with the community to develop strategies to improve access, affordability and quality of care at the local level.

The Suncoast and West Central Florida health councils share management and staff resources to optimize limited funding resources and to initiate and coordinate program services that cross planning district boundaries. Working together, the Suncoast and West Central Florida health councils “Make health care better” for residents throughout the Tampa Bay and West Central areas of Florida.