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Mayor, city officials announce ‘Mission 1 Million'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County barely cracks the top 50 in Florida’s county-by-county health rankings.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and other city officials are trying to change that number. Curry, the U.S. Surgeon General and city officials announced Thursday the “Mission 1 Million.” It is an effort for the city as a whole to lose 1 million pounds over the next three and a half years.

The county currently ranks 48th out of Florida's 67 counties.

“We’ve seen rates of obesity and chronic disease skyrocket over the last few decades and we’re paying for it in terms of dollars and human lives,” said .S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

Curry accepted the “Mission 1 Million” challenge on Thursday, and he challenged all of Duval County.

Mayor curry has also asked the county to walk or run 26.2 miles each month, which is all about making us all healthier.

“I could do better, and by standing in and stepping out and saying that I'm committed to this, I can be held accountable and get the community to join me in this effort,” Curry said.

If you'd also like to accept the city's challenge, you come up with a goal and post it on social media with #904MissionAccepted. You also tag a friend to challenge them too.

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