Let's Make Delaware the Healthiest State in the Nation!
Improving Delaware's Health
Delaware State Health Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan
Health improvement is about a lot of things, some simple, some very complex…and there are many concepts and practices that are used to work toward a healthier community. From birth to senior years, we care about the health of our community. There are also many institutions and groups, from all sectors, working toward the common goal of a healthy Delaware. However, even in our small state, coordination of efforts and even knowing what other groups are attempting to do it a complex undertaking. For the Division of Public Health, they undertake a periodic review process which helps them to understand the needs of the community, identify gaps in service, and respond to emerging and continuous trends in health and well-being.
To get into the details of this process, read on below.
The State Health Assessment (SHA), State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP), and the Division of Public Health’s organizational strategic plan are prerequisites for State Health Departments that pursue National Public Health Accreditation Board Accreditation (PHAB). The State Health Department’s SHIP addresses the needs of all citizens in the state. The SHIP is a long-term, systematic plan to address issues identified in the SHA. The purpose of the SHIP is to describe how the health department and the community it serves will work together to improve the health of the population in their jurisdiction. The community, stakeholders, and partners can use a solid SHIP to set priorities, direct the use of resources, and develop and implement projects, programs, and policies.
The plan is more comprehensive than the roles and responsibilities of the health department alone, and the plan’s development must include participation of a broad set of community stakeholders and partners. The planning and implementation process is community-driven. The plan reflects the results of a collaborative planning process that includes significant involvement by a variety of community sectors.
SHIP and Delaware Division of Public Health National Accreditation
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, DPH collects data on and monitor many health outcomes and continually engage in activities to improve these health outcomes.