SACRAMENTO – The California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on Wednesday announced the Let’s Get Healthy California “Innovation Challenge” to engage and empower people to work together toward improving the health of their community and the state.

“Let’s Get Healthy California encourages us all – state policymakers and local communities – to create and share innovations as we strive to make California the healthiest state in the nation,” said CHHS Secretary Diana S. Dooley. “The Innovation Challenge is an exciting opportunity for us to learn from and connect with our local community partners.”

The agency invites all passionate creative thinkers, community and health advocates, health care providers, community-based organizations, civic data enthusiasts, and visionary practitioners impacting the lives of Californians to participate and share their innovations.

Submissions are being accepted now through Sept. 30 in the six Let’s Get Healthy California goal areas: healthy beginnings, living well, end of life, redesigning the health system, creating healthy communities and lowering cost of care.

“This Innovation Challenge allows people to think outside of the traditional public health framework to create innovative solutions that support the Triple Aim of better health, better care, and lower costs,” said Dr. Karen Smith, CDPH director and state health officer. “We hope that these ideas will launch Californians on a path to living healthier lives.”

Finalists will be selected from each of the six Let’s Get Healthy California goal areas. Finalists will be announced this fall and will be highlighted at the statewide Innovation Conference in early 2016.

Selected submissions will also be featured on the Let’s Get Healthy California website, scheduled for a 2016 launch. Data-focused innovations will additionally be highlighted at the statewide Open Data Fest in spring 2016.

To submit an innovation, or for more information regarding Let’s Get Healthy California and the Innovation Challenge, visit the California Health and Human Services Agency Let’s Get Healthy Web site or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In 2012, Gov. Jerry Brown issued Executive Order B-19-12 to create the Let’s Get Healthy California Taskforce with the goal of making California the healthiest state in the nation by 2022.

The Let’s Get Healthy California initiative focuses on furthering the Triple Aim – better health, better care, and lower costs – and promoting health equity.