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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Cell 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

DPH Media Contact:
Jennifer Brestel
302-744-4907, Cell 302-612-6223
Email: Jennifer.brestel@delaware.gov

Date: May 9, 2019
DHSS-05-2019

DPH TO LAUNCH MY HEALTHY COMMUNITY DATA PORTAL

WHO:	Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS, Secretary, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Shawn Garvin, Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) The Honorable Rysheema Dixon, Council Member At-Large, Wilmington City Council Karyl Rattay, MD, MS, Director, Division of Public Health (DPH), DHSS Tabatha Offutt-Powell, DrPH, MPH, State Epidemiologist and Chief, Epidemiology, Health Data & Informatics Section, DPH, DHSS
WHAT:	Launch of the My Healthy Community Data Portal, an innovative software platform that delivers neighborhood-focused population health, environmental, and social determinant of health data to the public. Delaware residents can access data at the smallest geographical area available to understand and explore information about the factors that influence health in our communities. Types of data available on the portal include public and private drinking water results, air quality, and asthma incidence. The portal also provides substance use data, including drug overdose deaths, suspected non-fatal drug overdoses, information from the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP), and youth use of prescription pain medications without a prescription.
WHEN:	Monday, May 13, 2019 - 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Route 9 Library & Innovation Center - Black Box Theater 3022 New Castle Ave. New Castle, DE 19720
WHY:	The State of Delaware wants to make data more transparent, accessible to the public and easier to understand. Being aware of what is going on in our neighborhoods can empower communities to initiate improvements and improve health outcomes. Additional health indicators that will be added starting this summer will also serve to highlight Delaware's progress in meeting health care benchmarks (obesity, tobacco use, preventable Emergency Department visits, etc.) to reduce costs. The project was completed through interagency coordination and funding led by DPH, DNREC, the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), and the Delaware Health Care Commission. My Healthy Community encompasses the Delaware Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (EPHTN), and benefits from participation in an Environmental Public Health Tracking Peer-to-Peer Fellowship program through the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), with the Kentucky Department of Health as Delaware's EPHTN mentor.
VISUALS:	My Healthy Community data portal demonstration; audience watching the demonstration; printed cards announcing the new site.
QUESTIONS:	302-744-4704

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. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DPH TO LAUNCH MY HEALTHY COMMUNITY DATA PORTAL

Delaware's Government