DCHD Community Health Improvement Plan 2024 - 2028

Building a Healthier Delaware County: DCHD's CHIP

Background

The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for Delaware County was developed as an action plan to address needs identified in the Community Health Assessment (CHA). The assessment sought to understand which health conditions affect the length and quality of life of Delaware County residents, which population groups are more affected by poor health, and to identify health priority areas. The CHIP was developed to establish strategies and take action to address the health needs that are specific to Delaware County.

The Delaware County Health Department led the development of the CHIP, but it's truly a community effort. This plan is for everyone – all organizations, groups, and individuals in Delaware County who want to make a difference. We all have a role to play in building a healthier community.

Because our community is always changing, the CHIP is designed to be flexible. We can update it as needed to make sure it's always working to meet our community's evolving needs.

The CHIP focuses on three key health priority areas identified in the CHA, with action plans for each. These plans are guided by two overarching themes that will help us achieve our goals.

We invite you to explore the CHIP and learn how you can be a part of creating a healthier Delaware County! If you would like to join the effort, please email DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us
 

CHA Priority Areas and Overarching Themes

The priority areas selected during the CHA include, in order:

1. Promote Whole Person Care and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
2. Promote Maternal, Parental, and Infant Health
3. Prevent Chronic Diseases

Two overarching themes will guide the DCHD and its community partners as they set goals and objectives in the three areas. These are:

1. Promote Health Equity
2. Improve Access to and Awareness of Health Care and Community Services

Community Health Assessment (CHA) webpage
 

CHIP Progress Update

Implementation of Delaware County's Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is underway.  DCHD and its community partners have been working together to build partnerships, strengthen collaboration, and advance strategies across each of the CHIP's three priority areas.

View the progress reports below for a snapshot of work completed and progress toward 2026 goals through June 30, 2026.

• 2026 Progress Report:  Whole Person Care and Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
• 2026 Progress Report:  Maternal, Parental, and Infant Health
• 2026 Progress Report:  Prevent Chronic Diseases 

CHIP Goals and Objectives

Priority Area 1: Promote Whole Person Care and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

• Goal 1: Improve mental health

  Objective 1.1: By December 31, 2028, decrease the proportion of Delaware County adults who experience poor mental health by 5%.

  Objective 1.2: By December 31, 2028, improve mental health ratings among youth.

• Goal 2: Decrease fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses
  Objective 2.1: By December 31, 2028, reduce fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses in Delaware County by 5%.

Priority Area 2: Promote Maternal, Parental, And Infant Health

• Goal 1: Improve birth outcomes

  Objective 1.1: By December 31, 2028, improve birth outcomes in Delaware County, with a special focus on Black,       Hispanic, and Multi-race birthing parents.

• Goal 2: Decrease prenatal opioid misuse

  Objective 2.1: By December 31, 2028, decrease the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome among babies born to Delaware County parents.

• Goal 3: Prevent infant deaths

  Objective 3.1: By December 31, 2028, decrease the rate of infant mortality in Delaware County.

• Goal 4: Decrease childhood lead poisoning

Priority Area 3: Prevent Chronic Diseases

•  Goal 1: Decrease breast cancer deaths

  Objective 1.1: By December 31, 2028, increase the percentage of females who are screened for breast cancer.

  Objective 1.2: By December 31, 2028, decrease the age-adjusted mortality rate of female breast cancer for Black women ages 50 and older.

• Goal 2: Increase primary care access

  Objective 2.1: By December 31, 2028, the proportion of Delaware County adults ages 18 and older who visited the doctor in the past year for a routine check-up.

• Goal 3: Improve asthma outcomes in Delaware County
         Remove its objective
   

• Goal 4: Reduce obesity

  Objective 1.1: By December 31, 2028, decrease the adult rate of obesity in Delaware County by 5%.

Thank You

We are deeply grateful to the following organizations who participated in the CHIP Planning process, and those who are actively working to contribute to the CHIP Implementation.

A CHIP Kick-Off event was held in November 2024 to present CHIP plans and progress with organizations, municipalities, elected officials, and other interested parties.

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