Delaware’s 2022 Healthcare Trend Report: A Mixed Bag of Progress and Challenges

Delaware’s 2022 benchmark trend report on health care has brought to light both positive and negative aspects of the First State’s healthcare system. The report focuses on progress and priorities to reduce the economic burden of health care spending while improving quality measures.

Per capita health care spending increased by over 6%, exceeding the 3% growth rate benchmark. However, the results of the quality measures presented a mixed bag. Improvements were noted in the use of opioids at high dosages and statin therapy for cardiovascular disease patients. Unfortunately, opioid-related deaths were well above the benchmark in 2022, increasing from the previous year. Adult obesity also surpassed its benchmark by 6% and increased from 2021, a concerning trend according to Steven Costantino, director of health care reform for the Department of Health and Social Services.

Costantino expressed particular concern about the link between obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, emphasizing the need for more interventions and prevention strategies to address the issue. Cervical cancer screening fell short of the benchmark, especially in the Medicaid population, as did breast cancer screening for Medicaid patients. On the positive side, colorectal cancer screening exceeded the benchmark for commercial insurance patients, as did breast cancer screenings.

Despite health care spending increasing by over 6%, there was no significant improvement in quality measures according to policymakers who are now considering ways to influence providers and payers to change their approach to certain health care issues. The report analyzed nine areas by age, gender, and race/ethnicity to provide a comprehensive overview of health care trends in Delaware.

The rising per capita healthcare spending is a positive sign but it is not enough without improvements in quality measures that will address pressing public health concerns such as obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Delaware’s fourth annual benchmark trend report on health care presents a complex picture that highlights both positives and negatives in terms of progress towards reducing economic burden while improving quality measures. While there have been improvements in some areas such as opioids at high dosages and statin therapy for cardiovascular disease patients, there are still challenges such as rising adult obesity rates that require more attention from policymakers.

In conclusion, Delaware needs more targeted interventions and prevention strategies aimed at addressing public health concerns such as obesity-related chronic diseases if we are to see meaningful improvements in quality measures that will ultimately reduce healthcare spending in long term.