The Wilmington Health Planning Council was established by city ordinance in 2000 as a council of private citizens and health organization representatives to help the city of Wilmington identify local health needs, develop a plan to improve the health of Wilmington residents and those who work in the city, assist the city in implementing health initiatives, and to provide direction on monitoring and evaluation of health goals and objectives in Wilmington.  One of the health initiatives coordinated by the Council is Wilmington Wellness Month during the month of September each year, culminating in Wilmington Wellness Day, a Saturday in late September, where over 100 health organizations provide health education and preventive health screening services to Wilmington residents.

The Council began meeting in February 2001 identifying community health needs and determining the process for developing a city health plan.  The Council decided to develop a Healthy Wilmington 2010 plan modeled after the national Healthy People 2010 and the state Healthy Delaware 2010 plans that would determine broad health goals, specific measurable objectives and milestones, targeted activities and available community resources to help meet those goals and objectives.  Similar to the national and state health plans, the focus of the Healthy Wilmington 2010 plan is health promotion and disease prevention through individual, organizational and community involvement.

Throughout the decade, the Wilmington Health Planning Council will work with the Mayor's Office, City Council, city departments and collaborating organizations throughout the city to implement, support and assess the Healthy Wilmington 2010 objectives and activities.  We hope you will use the plan and partner with us to improve the health of all Wilmingtonians, whether you live or work in our city.