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Council History Member Organizations Message from the Mayor
 To
the Citizens of Wilmington:
Most of us, I believe, would agree that our individual health and
the health of our children and families should be of the highest
priority. After all, good health improves our chances for personal
success and achievement and guides our ability to support our loved
ones and keep them healthy and free of disease.
For many people in our community, however, the importance of health
education and awareness and the prevention of disease have been
diminished due to concerns about being able to afford health care
or confusion about how or where to obtain health-related services.
It is, therefore, my honor and privilege as Mayor to present "Healthy
Wilmington 2010," a comprehensive guide to health and disease
prevention services that are available in the Wilmington area to
you and your families.
This is the first time that City government, in partnership with
scores of area health-related businesses and community agencies,
has produced a single document that highlights important health
issues and sets goals for achieving a healthier City and population. "Healthy Wilmington 2010" supports the "Healthy Delaware
2010" project under the leadership of Delaware's Governor Ruth
Ann Minner. "Healthy Wilmington 2010" focuses its attention
on subjects such as: Access to Preventive Health Care, Chronic Diseases
Prevention, HIV / AIDS, Mental Health, Responsible Sexual Behavior,
Substance Abuse, and Violence Prevention.
Goals include a reduction in the use and abuse of tobacco, alcohol
and other drugs; a reduction of chronic disease through the adoption
of healthier personal behavior and the use of early detection services;
a decrease of 20% in the rate of HIV infection among Wilmington
residents; improving the quality of mental health services; promoting
responsible sexual behavior to reduce pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases; and reducing violence in our families and throughout our
City.
Please take time to read this document and use the health resources
listed, thereby improving your own health and the health of your
family. We can and should achieve the goal of a healthier Wilmington.
For those who have given minimal thought to health issues, I would
hope that "Healthy Wilmington 2010" serves as the basis
for a new understanding and appreciation of the benefits of a healthier
lifestyle and a more positive and energetic outlook on life.
Sincerely,
James M. Baker
Mayor
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