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UAW and DaimlerChrysler Release Findings Of Delaware Health Care Study

11 December 2000

UAW and DaimlerChrysler Corporation Release Findings Of Delaware Health Care Study

    WILMINGTON, Del., Dec. 8 The Delaware Community Health
Initiative, a joint project of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, released today the Delaware Factbook, a
comprehensive study of the health care status and needs of Delaware citizens.
The Factbook was presented to representatives of health care providers,
employers, labor unions, public officials and others during a community
meeting on the Stanton Campus of the Delaware Technical and Community College.
    "Our common goal is to improve the quality of health care available to
Delaware citizens," said Richard B. LeGates of DaimlerChrysler, a co-director
of the Community Health Initiative.  "The Factbook gives us the tools we need
to do the job."
    "This research lays the groundwork for the action phase of our project,"
said J. Kenneth Saunders of the UAW, also a co-director of the Initiative.
"We want to involve all of the stakeholders in the field of health care --
including providers, employers, unions, and the public -- to make the best use
of Delaware's health care resources."
    The Delaware Factbook is the result of a two-year study by the Lewin
Group, a Washington, DC based health policy and research consulting group.
The methodology includes a comparison of health status, needs, and resources
in Delaware to benchmarks such as national averages, performance in
neighboring states such as Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and
performance in comparison communities such as Seattle, Wash.; San Joaquin,
Calif.; and Wichita, Kan.

    Key findings of the study are as follows:

    * Delaware compares less favorably than benchmark states and communities
      with respect to cancer, chronic diseases, several communicable diseases,
      several behavior risk factors, and a few maternal and child health
      indicators.

    * Health care resources appear adequate, although the majority of
      resources are concentrated in New Castle County.  The physician supply
      per 100,000 residents is comparable with U.S. norms, while the supply of
      dentists is lower than U.S. norms.

    * Quality of care in Delaware is comparable to benchmark states and
      communities, but high utilization of some services suggests that care is
      not always provided in the most appropriate settings or with the least
      invasive technologies.

    * High inpatient use rates for diseases such as diabetes and pediatric
      asthma may indicate that hospitalization of some patients could be
      avoided with improved outpatient care.  In addition, Delaware residents
      are utilizing some invasive surgical procedures such as cardiac
      catheterization, back surgery and gall bladder surgery at rates higher
      than benchmark states and communities.

    * Inpatient utilization, including admissions and total days, is generally
      higher in Delaware than benchmark states and communities.

    * Three disease categories appear to pose particular areas of concern for
      Delaware.  The state performs less favorably than benchmark states and
      communities on a number of indicators related to respiratory disease,
      cardiovascular disease, and mental health.