DELAWARE STATEWIDE HEALTH ASSESSMENT: COMMENTS INVITED

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) wants your input on the major health needs in Delaware. What are Delaware's main health needs? What issues do not get enough attention? What changes need to occur with health in Delaware for a better tomorrow?

DPH recently worked with a broad spectrum of non-profit and medical provider partners to create a draft statewide health assessment (SHA). The SHA is a careful examination of the health of our population which then is used to identify key problems and assets in Delaware. The ultimate goal of a SHA is to develop strategies to address our health needs and identified issues in a comprehensive way. After receiving public comments on the SHA, DPH will organize partners again to develop strategies and goals to address Delaware's major health needs.

Four documents comprise the SHA. Click on the links below to open each document.

• Community Themes and Strengths Assessment - provides an understanding of the issues felt important by answering the questions: "What is important to our community?" "How is the quality of life perceived in our community?" and "What assets do we have that can be used to improve community health?" www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/shactsa.pdf
• Community Health Status Assessment -identifies priority community health and quality of life issues. Questions answered include: "How healthy are our residents?" and "What does the health status of our state look like?" www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/shachsa.pdf
• Forces of Change Assessment - focuses on identifying forces such as technology and other impending changes that affect the context in which the state and its public health system operates. This answers the question: "What is occurring or might occur that impacts the health of our community?" and "What specific threats or opportunities are generated by these occurrences?" www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/shafoca.pdf
• Goals and Strategies- Based on the above assessments, broad strategies are identified for addressing issues and achieving goals related to the community's vision. www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/shagasr.pdf

We invite comments on the SHA through Jan. 31, 2013. Comments can be provided by health providers and agencies, as well as the interested public. Please use this link www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/shaform.pdf

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.