Delaware County
Community Health Improvement Plan
2024 - 2028
Together, we will create a healthier Delaware County.
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:
- Promote Whole Person Care and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
- Promote Maternal, Parental, and Infant Health
- 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:
- Promote Health Equity
- Improve Access to and Awareness of Health Care and Community Services
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.
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: Understand local asthma trends
- Objective 2.2: By June 30, 2025, explore, identify sources of and review localized asthma data to determine health disparities and develop opportunities for action.
- 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.
| Planning Partners | |
|---|---|
| African Family Health Organization | |
| AIDS Care Group | CAPPA |
| Cheney University; Delaware County Drug & Alcohol Control Board | ChesPenn Health Services |
| Chester City | Chester Housing Authority |
| Delaware County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs | Delaware County Human Services Office of Behavioral Health |
| Delaware County Human Services Office of Drug and Alcohol | Delaware County Intermediate Unit |
| Delaware County Planning Department | The Foundation for Delaware County |
| Health Educated | Keystone Health |
| Latino Connection | Main Line Health |
| Maternity Care Coalition | Pettaway Pursuit Foundation |
| Recovery Works | Trinity Health |
| Widener University | YMCA |
| Promote Whole Person Care, and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders CHIP Implementation Committee Partners |
|
|---|---|
| ACG Health | Centro de Apoyo |
| Chester Community Coalition | Child and Family Focus |
| Children First PA | Delaware County Community College |
| Delaware County Department of Human Services | Delaware County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs |
| Delaware County Intermediate Unit | Delaware County Office of the Medical Examiner |
| Educational Data Systems, Inc. | Family Support Line |
| Foundation for Delaware County | Jaisohn House |
| Kelly Ace Professional Counseling | Latino Connection |
| Main Line Health | Maternity Care Coalition |
| Media Food Bank | Multicultural Community Family Services |
| MVP Recovery | Opioid Crisis Action Network |
| Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity | Radnor League of Women Voters |
| Recovery Works PA | Thomas Jefferson University |
| Upper Darby Recovery Without Borders | |
| Promote Maternal, Parental, and Infant Health CHIP Implementation Committee Partners |
|
|---|---|
| African Family Health Organization | AmeriHealth Caritas |
| ChesPenn Health Services | Chester City |
| Child and Family Focus | Delaware County Community College |
| Delaware County Department of Human Services | Delaware County Intermediate Unit |
| Family & Community Service of Delaware County | Geisinger Health Plan |
| Jefferson Health Plans | Latino Connection |
| Main Line Health | Maternity Care Coalition |
| Media Food Bank | Murphy’s Giving Market |
| MVP Recovery | Once Upon a Preemie |
| Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics | Pettaway Pursuit Foundation |
| Public Health Management Corporation | State Representative Gina Curry’s Office |
| Temple University | The Doula Concierge |
| The Foundation for Delaware County | Thomas Jefferson University |
| Total Child Care Initiative | Villanova University |
| Widener University | |
| Prevent Chronic Diseases CHIP Implementation Committee Partners |
|
|---|---|
| American Cancer Society | American Diabetes Association |
| American Heart Association | AmeriHealth Caritas |
| ChesPenn Health Services | Chester City |
| Chester Housing Authority | Community Action Agency of Delaware County |
| Delaware County Department of Human Services | Educational Data Systems, Inc. |
| Family and Community Service of Delaware County | Foundation for Delaware County |
| Health Fitness Connections | Jaisohn House |
| Keystone First | Latino Connection |
| Main Line Health | Media Food Bank |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital | St. Mary Medical Center |
| Trinity Health | Unite for HER |
| Widener University | YMCA of Eastern Delaware County |
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.
