The greatest health strengths and challenges in Delaware

The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Delaware.

Jan. 4, 2023

Delaware is ranked 20th in the country for overall health – an improvement from a ranking of 30 in 2019¹ – according to America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report. Below is a summary of the positive and negative factors that contributed to this ranking.²

Delaware health strengths

Low prevalence of frequent mental distress
Low Black/white residential segregation
Low percentage of adults who avoided care due to cost
30% increase in flu vaccination coverage from 38.2% to 49.8% of adults between 2018 and 2021
24% decrease in excessive drinking from 18.9% to 14.3% of adults between 2019 and 2021

Delaware health challenges

High percentage of household food insecurity
Low supply of dental care providers
High prevalence of physical inactivity
22% decrease in fourth grade reading proficiency from 32.5% to 25.3% of fourth grade public school students between 2019 and 2022

What this means for employers

Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Delaware may want to consider programs or benefits that can help support their employee population and guide them to better health decisions.

Learn more about the factors impacting the health of Delaware.

The real people behind these numbers are what make the work ahead so critically important. Despite the challenges ahead, I remain optimistic that the health system can rise to the moment to address long-standing disparities and improve the health and well-being of all Americans, for this generation and the next.

— Patricia L. Lewis, Chief Sustainability Officer at UnitedHealth Group

View the Delaware state summary (pdf)

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