DHSS Press Release |
Date: November 12, 1997 DHSS-6-1997 |
| Gregg C. Sylvester, M.D., Secretary Alexis Andrianopoulos, Director of Public Information (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Bob Welch Contact: Don Berry, Vital Statistics Phone: (302) 739-4776 |
1995 VITAL STATISTICS REPORT RELEASED
DOVER - For the third time in as many years, health officials have seen a significant decrease in Delaware's infant mortality rate. According to the 1995 Delaware Vital Statistics Annual Report, released today during a press conference at Delmarva Rural Ministries, Delaware saw a 4.3% decrease in its infant mortality rate for the five-year period 1991-1995, dropping to a five-year rate of 8.9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
According to Governor Thomas R. Carper, "For too long, Delaware's infant mortality rate has been a badge of shame. I am heartened that we continue to make steady progress in reducing this scourge. While we cannot erase this problem overnight, I expect that we will continue to create steady reductions in our infant mortality rate - just as we have done over the past three years."
"While the battle against infant mortality is far from over, it is encouraging that our collaborative efforts are continuing to pay off," said DHSS Acting Secretary Gregg C. Sylvester, MD, MPH. "Working with local communities, businesses, social service organizations such as Delmarva Rural Ministries, and the medical community, we getting more Delaware infants off to the healthiest possible start in life."
In addition to the drop in infant mortality rates, more Delawareans were married in 1995, and for the fourth consecutive year there were fewer births to Delaware residents.
Other highlights from the report include:
- The breast cancer mortality rate for black females, which has historically been higher than the US rate, in 1991-1995 dropped below the US for the first time.
- After decreasing for two consecutive years, the percentage of women receiving adequate prenatal care in Kent County increased from 53.1% in 1994 to 61.6% in 1995. The percentage of mothers receiving adequate prenatal care in Wilmington increased from 70.7% in 1994 to 73.5% in 1995. Increases also were seen in New Castle County (80.5% in 1994; 82.5% in 1995) and Sussex County (66% in 1994; 67.8% in 1995).
- More than 33% of the births in Delaware during the 1991-1995 period were to single mothers, up slightly from the previous five-year period. Only 65.5% of single mothers received adequate prenatal care during 1995, compared to 82.2% of married mothers.
- The percentage of mothers who reported smoking during pregnancy dropped from 14.1% in 1994 to 13.1% in 1995. The percentage has dropped every year since 1989, when 19.7% of mothers reported smoking.
- Heart disease, cancer and stroke continued to be the three leading causes of death in Delaware and the nation. Among persons in the 25-44 age group in Delaware, HIV/AIDS was the second leading cause of death during the 1991-1995 period.
Information for the 411-page report was collected through certificates of marriage, divorce, birth and death and was compiled and analyzed by the Delaware Health Statistics Center, a unit of the Bureau of Health Planning and Resources Management within DHSS' Division of Management Services.
Vital statistics are useful in developing health and social programs, targeting resources, and measuring progress in achieving goals. The report is used by a variety of health providers and state and private health and social service agencies.
For a copy of the 1995 Delaware Vital Statistics Annual Report, call 739-4776.
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.
