The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) for 2023-2028, aimed at improving the health of Pennsylvanians over the next five years. This release is timely, coinciding with National Public Health Week, which runs from April 3 through April 9.
The SHIP was developed in collaboration with the Healthy Pennsylvania Partnership (HPP), consisting of almost 300 healthcare professionals, organizations, and community collaborations, among others, focused on improving health outcomes across the state. The plan outlines goals, objectives, and strategies to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities in Pennsylvania.
The overarching goal of the SHIP is to improve the health status and life expectancy of Pennsylvanians and eliminate health inequities. There are nine specific goals in the 2023-2028 SHIP, including improving financial well-being, food security, and safe affordable housing, increasing community safety, improving environmental health, increasing the population at a healthy weight, reducing the impact of tobacco and nicotine use, improving access to medical and oral healthcare, and improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s 2023-2024 budget supports many of the SHIP’s goals, including investments in maternal health programming, mental health services for students, and increasing the minimum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit.
The SHIP provides a roadmap for the HPP and others to work together to improve health outcomes and eliminate health disparities across the state. The Department of Health’s commitment to this goal will be showcased during a statewide online Health Equity Conference on April 4.
For more information on the SHIP, including its goals and strategies, visit the Department of Health’s website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter. By working together and taking proactive steps, we can improve the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.
