21st Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo Set for June 20 in Dover

The public is invited to the 21st Annual Diabetes Wellness Expo on June 20, 2023 at Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus in Dover, Delaware. The free event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Del-One Conference Center, located at 100 Campus Drive. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long will speak at noon.

The Expo is hosted by the Delaware Diabetes Coalition (DDC) and sponsored by the Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention and Control Program (DHDPC) and the Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Program. Bronze sponsors are AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware, Anodyne Pain & Wellness Solutions, Beebe Healthcare, Delaware First Health and Tidal Health.

More than 95,000 Delaware adults reported in 2021 that they had been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Delaware Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. The survey also shows that 84,800 additional Delaware adults reported being diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Progression to type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by losing weight, engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly and improving one’s diet.

People with diabetes, pre-diabetes, caregivers, employers and health professionals are encouraged to attend the Diabetes Wellness Expo to learn how to prevent complications of the chronic disease, such as kidney failure, adult blindness, lower limb amputations, heart disease and stroke.

More than 30 exhibitors and educational seminars will provide information about diabetes management, nutrition, exercise, medication adherence, hearing and mental health.  Diabetes and blood pressure screenings, hearing screenings, stress assessment and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are offered at no cost. Health screenings are provided by DPH’s Kent County Mobile Unit, Beebe Healthcare Delaware State University, Mast Audiology Services and PACE Your LIFE.

A complimentary lunch is included for registered attendees. To register or become a vendor for the Diabetes Wellness Expo, visit https://www.dediabetescoaliton.org/wellness-expo/.  Vendors must register by June 9. Attendees can register up to the day of the event. For more information, contact DDC at director@dediabetescoalition.org or 302-519-6767.

To learn more about diabetes management and prevention programs and resources, visit https://www.healthydelaware.org/Individuals/Diabetes#effects or call DHDPC at 302-744-1020.

 


DPH Hosts Inaugural Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference

The Delaware Division of Public Health’s (DPH) Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Prevention Program (PANO) is hosting its inaugural Advancing Healthy Lifestyles Conference on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Focusing on the theme of ‘Improving Health Through Equity,’ this first-of-its-kind, in-person event offered participants opportunities to learn from national, regional and local leaders in achieving health equity. Participants also exchanged ideas and shared best practices to help end disparities throughout the state and empower healthier living for all Delawareans.

With an ultimate vision of removing barriers to health equity that exist in Delaware, the conference brought together public health policymakers, nonprofit advocates of health and wellness, educators, health care providers and researchers. The event was developed to build on Governor John Carney’s policy objectives for launching a statewide effort to reduce the impact of obesity and chronic disease, and to evaluate and implement the recommendations of the Delaware Cancer Consortium. The event was held at Delaware State University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Conference Center.

“It didn’t take long into the pandemic to see the way COVID-19 worked to further widen the chasm of health disparities,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Molly Magarik. “Our goal is to ensure all Delawareans have access to the tools they need to lead longer, healthier lives. Through this conference, we are leveraging the lessons from the pandemic to infuse new energy into our work and drove even greater success in achieving health equity.”

The conference’s key objectives, which parallel those of the Advancing Healthy Lifestyles initiative, are to:

  • Reduce obesity and other chronic conditions
  • Achieve health equity by focusing on coordinated school health and wellness, community capacity building, and workplace wellness
  • Foster connections between youth-serving organizations and schools to support the health and well-being of youth across the state
  • Support the efforts of community-based organizations implementing policy, systems and environmental changes
  • Help advance workplace wellness

Conference Highlights

Throughout the day, participants were inspired by remarks from local dignitaries and healthy lifestyle advocates, including Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long; DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik; and keynote presenter, U.S. Olympian Dominque Dawes.

The conference panel discussion covered Improving Health Through Equity: A Regional Perspective, led by the following individuals:

  • Aniekan Ebitu, MPH, National Senior Director of Public Health Programs, National Hypertension Control Initiative, American Heart Association
  • Keisha Morris, Director of Talent Management and Workforce DevelopmentBayhealth
  • Dalton Paxman, PhD, Regional Health Administrator, Office of Regional Health Operations, Region 3, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Moderator: Scott Siegel, PhD, MHCDS, Director of Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, ChristianaCare

There was also a robust agenda of opportunities for sharing, learning, and networking:

  • Concurrent breakout sessions — Addressing Systemic Bias in Health Care; Improving Health Through Community Collaborations; and The Trauma of Racism and Health Disparities
  • Interactive peer-to-peer roundtable discussions
  • Information resource room
  • Networking reception

Additional Information

Learn more about the Division of Public Health’s Advancing Healthy Lifestyles initiative at https://www.healthydelaware.org/Community-Partners/Advancing-Healthy-Lifestyles. 

 

Data

According to DPH’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS), obesity among Delaware adults has more than doubled from 13% in 1992 to 33.9%. The prevalence of reported obesity was higher among Black and Hispanic adults and individuals with a disability than among white adults and individuals without a disability.

The prevalence of Delaware adults diagnosed with diabetes has also doubled, from 4.9% in 1991 to 12% in 2021, according to the 2021 BRFS. Of Delawareans surveyed, 18.2% of adults ages 55 to 64 and 23.4% of adults age 65 and older reported having diabetes.

In addition, 15% of black adults reported having diabetes compared with 11.4% of white adults. Among Delaware adults diagnosed with diabetes, 44.5% reported having a disability.


DPH Announces April 22 As DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day for Delaware

Delaware will hold its 24th National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Disposal for sharps and needles will be available at select locations. Overdose Response Education, with free Narcan kits available at select locations. 

Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by DPH. The twice-a-year event aims to reduce the risk of prescription medications being diverted for misuse and has resulted in 114,470 pounds of medication being collected in Delaware since 2010. In October 2022 alone, a total of 4,200 pounds of unneeded medication were collected across 23 Delaware locations. Properly discarding unused medications through this event is an important ongoing activity to address the nationwide opioid epidemic. Doing so reduces the risk of addiction by keeping prescription medications out of the hands of people who may misuse, abuse, or divert them, and helps reduce the risk of drug overdoses. 

“By safely turning in your prescription medications that have expired, or that you no longer need on Drug Take-Back Day, you can help fight the epidemic in Delaware,” said Kate Brookins, director of the Office of Health Crisis Response.   

In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are permanent medicine drop-off locations available year-round. In addition to medicine drop-off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute Deterra bags (medication deactivation bags) to use at home.  

The medications to be disposed of at the Take-Back Day locations must be in a container such as a pill bottle, box, blister pack, or zipped plastic bag, with personal information removed. Liquid medications must be in their original containers. Besides medications, vape pens and e-cigarettes will be collected if the batteries are removed.  

A total of 22 locations in Delaware are currently participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day event. You can find the current list of locations at HelpisHereDE.com/drug-take-back-day.

Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the following four locations: Laurel, Milton, Middletown, and Wilmington police departments. The used needle disposal containers are only for the public and not commercial entities, and individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. The safest way to dispose of needles is to use a designated Sharps disposal container, which is delivered to incinerators to avoid accidental exposure. 

To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, seven of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back locations (Wilmington, New Castle, Middletown, Dover, Milford, and Laurel Police Departments and SUN Behavioral Delaware) will also offer Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public, in coordination with the Division of Public Health. It is recommended that anyone who has a prescription opioid or has friends and family who use opioid prescriptions or illicit drugs receive this training and the overdose reversal medication, Narcan. For other community trainings and where you can get free Narcan, visit: HelpisHereDE.com/overdose-prevention

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction in Delaware, call DHSS’ 24/7 Crisis Hotline to be connected to treatment and recovery options. In New Castle County, call 1-800-652-2929. Or in Kent and Sussex counties, call 1-800-345-6785. For free 24/7 counseling, coaching, and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services call the Delaware Hope Line at 833-9-HOPEDE. To search online for treatment and recovery services in Delaware or nearby states, visit HelpIsHereDE.com. 


Del. To Issue Monthly Emergency Benefits Dec. 23 To SNAP Households, Eligible TANF and General Assistance Households

NEW CASTLE (Dec. 21, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Social Services will issue emergency benefits for December to eligible households as part of the State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

Benefits will be issued as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and two cash assistance programs – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance (GA). The SNAP emergency food benefit will be available on recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards Friday, Dec. 23. Eligible TANF and GA households will receive an emergency cash benefit check on or after Friday, Dec. 23.  

All households with open SNAP cases will receive at least $95 in emergency food benefits, to be issued as follows:  

  1. SNAP households receiving the maximum food benefit amount for their household size or a prorated initial benefit will receive $95 in emergency food benefits.  
  2. SNAP households with a calculated emergency food benefit amount less than $95 will have their emergency benefit increased to $95.  
  3. SNAP households with a calculated emergency benefit amount of $95 or more will continue to receive the calculated emergency benefit amount to increase the household’s monthly benefit up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size.  

The emergency assistance for TANF and GA families will increase a household’s monthly benefit for each program up to the maximum benefit amount for their household size. Households that already receive the maximum TANF or GA benefit amount or that have a prorated benefit in the month of December are not eligible for the December emergency cash funds. 

The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has issued emergency benefits each month to eligible households since March 2020. As the federal public health emergency is expected to come to an end in early 2023, DHSS encourages benefit recipients to begin preparing for the day when these additional monthly emergency funds also end. 

How the monthly emergency benefit is calculated: A household’s monthly emergency benefit equals the current maximum benefit amount for the household size minus the household’s current monthly benefit amount. For example, based on current USDA limits for SNAP benefits, if a household of one gets $100 in regular monthly benefits, that household will receive $181 in emergency benefits ($281 maximum benefit minus $100 monthly benefit). 

Here are the current maximum monthly benefit amounts per household size for SNAP, TANF, and General Assistance:  

 

Emergency SNAP Benefits

Number in SNAP Household Maximum Benefit Amount As of 10/1/2022
1 $281
2 $516
3 $740
4 $939
5 $1,116
6 $1,339
7 $1,480
8 $1,691
Each additional person $211

An estimated 59,915 Delaware households will receive the emergency SNAP allotment in December, totaling about $12.3 million in emergency food benefits for the month. 

 

Emergency Cash Benefits

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Number in TANF Household Maximum Benefit Amount
1 $201
2 $270
3 $338
4 $407
5 $475
6 $544
7 $612
8 $681
9 $750
10 $819

 

General Assistance (GA)

Number in GA Household Maximum Benefit Amount
1 $79
2 $107
3 $144
4 $169
5 $209
6 $239

An estimated 165 households will be eligible to receive emergency cash assistance benefits in December, totaling about $20,400 in emergency benefits for the month.  

 

In addition to the emergency benefits, households will receive their regular benefits for December on the usual issuance dates.  

For more information about DSS’s benefit programs in response to the pandemic, go to the division’s webpage. To screen for and apply for benefits, go to DHSS’ online application portal Delaware ASSIST or call 1-866-843-7212. 

  

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Carney, Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce $11 Million to Bolster Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure

WILMINGTON, Del. – Delaware Governor John Carney, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) today announced that Delaware will receive $11,021,366 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen the First State’s public health workforce and infrastructure.

Nationwide, the CDC is awarding $3.2 billion to help state, local, and territorial jurisdictions across the United States to provide the people, services, and systems needed to promote and protect health in U.S. communities. This includes $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act, legislation championed by Senators Carper, Coons and Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, for jurisdictions to recruit, retain, and train their workforce, including critical frontline public health workers such as epidemiologists, contact tracers, laboratory scientists, community health workers, and data analysts.

“Our public health workers have an important role in our state, and we are grateful for the services they provide to help keep Delawareans healthy,” said Governor Carney. “The last few years highlighted the impact that our public health team can make in our communities. These federal funds will strengthen Delaware’s public health system, and enable us to recruit and train more workers to deliver key services across our state. Thank you to the CDC and to our congressional delegation for this funding, and for supporting Delaware’s public health infrastructure.”

“The pandemic has shown us just how important strong and durable public health care infrastructure is in the First State,” said Senator Carper. “This funding – made possibly by the American Rescue Plan that I was proud to support –will go toward retaining and attracting employees into this critical sector of our workforce. As our public health systems face continuous obstacles, I am grateful that our state will be able to take the steps necessary to ensure Delaware is resilient against all future health crises.”

“When I welcomed U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Delaware last week to speak directly with health care providers, we heard how health care providers have grappled with the turmoil of the past few years, and how those challenges have been shared by their colleagues in public health,” said Senator Coons. “This grant provides the funding necessary to strengthen public health and will equip those working in our health care community here in Delaware and throughout our nation with the resources these workers need to properly support the communities that they so proudly serve.”

“Maintaining public health is essential to the wellbeing of our state and Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is front and center in this charge,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester, member of the House Health Subcommittee. “Today’s grant announcement from the CDC will infuse federal dollars, including funds from the American Rescue Plan that Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and I championed, into DPH to strengthen and expand its public health infrastructure. With this funding, DPH will focus on the recruitment, retention, and training of its workforce so that its reach can be expanded across the state to administer vital public health services to more Delawareans. I’m proud to have played a part in bringing this funding to Delaware and look forward to how it will strengthen DPH’s efforts to keep our communities healthy.”

“We are grateful to CDC and our congressional delegation for continuing to support the critical work of our public health team, which works tirelessly day in and day out to serve and protect the residents of our state,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Molly Magarik. “This additional federal funding will allow us to expand our current public health workforce, build on the enhanced infrastructure we were able to put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, and strengthen our capabilities to ensure we are able to rapidly respond to any emerging health threat in the future.”