WHEREAS, we recognize Community Health Improvement Week in Delaware; and
WHEREAS, Community Health Improvement Week is an annual celebration recognized by the American Hospital Association to honor people working to improve the holistic wellness of people and communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, social drivers of health are defined as “the conditions in the environment where people are born, live, work, play, worship, and age” and have a wide-reaching impact on health and health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, community health workers attend to the full spectrum of needs patients face as a result of the social drivers of health that they face; and
WHEREAS, community health workers are key members of the caregiver team for a patient and trusted members of the communities that they serve; and
WHEREAS, community health workers are working with individuals and families across the state of Delaware to identify and address the social drivers of health, including access to healthcare services, such as primary care, women’s health, and behavioral health services; and
WHEREAS, the work identifying and addressing the social drivers of health is happening in clinical and in community-based settings, from Claymont to Delmar; and
WHEREAS, the community health model is effective in addressing the social drivers of health, with the benefits of increased patient engagement and reduced hospital stays; and
WHEREAS, studies conducted by the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Community Health Workers have found that this work leads to a return of $2.47 for every $1 spent.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the week of June 12 through 18, 2023, is recognized as “Community Health Improvement Week” in the State of Delaware.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that community health workers are recognized for the positive health outcomes that result from their critical and valuable work as trusted members of the communities that they serve.
