DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 27, 2004 DHSS-112-2004 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INFANT MORTALITY TASK FORCE IDENTIFYING PRIORITIES
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner's Infant Mortality Task Force identified key avenues of investigation after reviewing the results of its concept-mapping project at an Oct. 21 meeting.
Using the process of concept mapping, committees narrowed their focus by grouping similar ideas and suggestions. Issues concerning health access and delivery, disparities in care, insurance, family planning and contraception, public awareness, and state leadership all emerged as themes among the 500 participant responses received.
Concept mapping is a process that allows maximum input into conducting research, developing plans and setting priorities. The process takes a large number of ideas and suggestions collected from surveys to determine groupings of those with similar content and how groupings connect with each other. The resulting concept map will become the basis of recommendations developed by the task force.
Many task force members attended and participated in five committees: Systems of Care, Prevention, Best Administrative and Clinical Practices, Disparities, and Data/Science. Some committees established sub-committees to focus on different issues.
"The task force's work is on target with timelines set forth by Gov. Minner,"" said Jaime H. Rivera, M.D., DPH director and task force co-chairman. An interim report is due to Gov. Minner during the first week in December, with a final report due in March.
The next task force meeting will be held Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Bank One Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.
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.
