As a nationally accredited state health agency, the Division of Public Health (DPH) exists to protect and promote the health of all people in Delaware. To gauge effectiveness in meeting this mission, we collect data on and monitor many health outcomes and continually engage in activities to improve these health outcomes. This web page provides access to the DPH accreditation report, some of the health outcome indicators DPH monitors, the DPH strategic plan, the State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).

Public Health Accreditation

On March 8, 2016 the DPH was awarded national accreditation by the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The PHAB Site Visit Report provides an overview of how DPH met the national public health standards.

Health Outcome Indicators

As DPH continues its journey to improve public health, we gauge progress by collecting data on and monitoring many health outcomes. While not all inclusive, these health outcome indicators represent our current strategic focus.

Division of Public Health 2019-2023 Strategic Plan

The DPH strategic plan provides a clear path for the division to be a vital part of the state public health system. This dynamic plan provides focus for public health staff on important health priorities and is aligned with the State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP).

State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan

The State Health Assessment (SHA) and State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) represent collective efforts of public and private groups as well as the residents of Delaware, to reveal health challenges and implement statewide activities to address those challenges. The University of Delaware Partnership for Healthy Communities (PHC/UD) and the Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association (Academy/DPHA), of which DPH is a partner, manages both the SHA and SHIP process in Delaware.

In 2018 the Summary of Delaware State Health Needs Assessment and Delaware State Health Improvement Plan Recommendations Report was published.

Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded directly from Adobe . If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe's Accessibility Tools page.