DHSS Press Release

DELAWARE LEADS THE NATION IN EMERGENCY HEALTH PREPAREDNESS

Wilmington - A recent report from Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) gives high marks to the state of Delaware. According to the study, Delaware achieved 9 out of 10 key indicators of public health emergency preparedness.

Overall, the seventh annual "Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism" report found that 20 states scored six or less out of 10 key indicators of public health emergency preparedness. Nearly two-thirds of states scored seven or less.

Helping Delaware achieve its score were the fact Delaware purchased 50 percent or more of its share of federally-subsidized antiviral medications to prepare for a potential pandemic flu outbreak, tracks diseases through an Internet system used by the CDC, and increased or maintained level of funding for public health services from FY 2007-08 to FY 2008-09.

"I'm so proud of the work of all of the people in our department, especially those in the Division of Public Health with regard to their work in the area of preparedness," said Rita M. Landgraf, Secretary of the department of health and Social Services. "These tough economic times force us to do more with less, but Delawareans can rest assured that their health and well being are not being compromised."

Just seven other states, Arkansas, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, and Vermont earned a similar score of 9 out of 10.

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.