ChristianaCare Announces $865 Million Investment in Delaware Healthcare Over Next Three Years

Introduction

ChristianaCare, Delaware’s leading healthcare system, is set to invest more than $865 million in new healthcare projects across the state over the next three years. This follows a previous investment of over $375 million in the past three years. The organization’s commitment to expanding and enhancing healthcare services aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Strategic Investment Guided by Community Needs and Sustainable Development

ChristianaCare’s investment strategy is informed by:

1. A comprehensive community health needs assessment conducted every three years with extensive community input, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
2. A commitment to value-based care and population health, promoting equitable access to quality healthcare (SDG 3).
3. Recognition of demographic shifts, including an aging population requiring enhanced access to high-quality care (SDG 3 and SDG 10).

Key Areas of Focus

• Primary Care
• Behavioral Health
• Cancer Care
• Specialty, Surgical, and Rehabilitative Care

These focus areas contribute directly to SDG 3 by improving health outcomes and ensuring healthy lives for all Delaware residents.

Economic and Community Impact

The investments are expected to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and construction activity, supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. For example, the expansion of the Middletown Campus is projected to create over 70 full-time jobs.

Major Projects and Developments

ChristianaCare Health Center at Middletown

Construction will begin in 2025 on an 87,000-square-foot health center adjacent to the existing freestanding Emergency Department, with an expected opening in early 2027. This expansion will enhance access to convenient, high-quality care in Kent County, supporting SDG 3 and SDG 11.

Expansion of Healthcare Services

• Growth of primary care, behavioral health, cancer care, and specialty/surgical care services statewide.
• Partnership with Atlas Healthcare Partners to develop an ambulatory surgery center network across Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region.

These initiatives aim to increase healthcare accessibility and quality, advancing SDG 3.

Recent Investments Demonstrating Commitment to Sustainable Healthcare

ChristianaCare Pediatric Care Center (Opened 2022)

A 24/7 pediatric emergency center at the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health in Newark, serving approximately 9,000 patients annually. This facility supports SDG 3 by providing specialized, family-friendly emergency care for children.

ChristianaCare Sleep Center (Opened 2023)

A state-of-the-art facility focusing on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders to improve overall health and quality of life, contributing to SDG 3.

MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound (Opened 2024)

Innovative noninvasive technology treating movement disorders such as essential tremors and Parkinson’s disease, enhancing patient quality of life and supporting SDG 3.

ChristianaCare-GoHealth Urgent Care Network

Since 2020, ChristianaCare has partnered with GoHealth to establish 16 urgent care centers in New Castle and Kent counties, providing fast, accessible care for non-life-threatening conditions, aligned with SDG 3.

Select Specialty Hospital (Opened 2022)

A 33-bed critical illness recovery hospital within ChristianaCare’s Wilmington Campus that offers extended care for critically ill patients, supporting SDG 3.

Growth of Primary Care and Innovative Programs

Primary Care Network Expansion

ChristianaCare’s primary care network now includes 36 practices, primarily in Delaware, serving approximately 200,000 patients. This expansion supports preventive care, chronic disease management, and sick care, advancing SDG 3 and SDG 10.

Hospital Care at Home Program

This program provides hospital-level acute care in patients’ homes, offering innovative healthcare delivery that enhances patient comfort and outcomes, contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Conclusion

ChristianaCare’s substantial investments in Delaware’s healthcare infrastructure and services demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable development and community well-being. By aligning its growth with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, SDG 8, and SDG 11, ChristianaCare is poised to improve health outcomes, create economic opportunities, and foster resilient communities for generations to come.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on expanding access to high-quality health care services, including primary care, behavioral health, cancer care, specialty surgical care, and acute care at home.
   • Investment in pediatric emergency care, sleep disorder treatment, and innovative technologies for movement disorders aligns with improving health outcomes.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • ChristianaCare’s investments are expected to create new jobs and stimulate economic growth in Delaware.
   • The expansion projects project the addition of more than 70 full-time jobs, contributing to local employment.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Investment in new health care infrastructure such as the Middletown Health Center, ambulatory surgery centers, and advanced medical technologies.
   • Focus on technology and infrastructure to support high-quality care and strong patient-healthcare team relationships.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Efforts to provide care close to home and in-home care aim to reduce health disparities and improve access for aging and shifting populations.
   • Community health workers and certification programs help connect underserved populations to vital health and social resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.
   • Target 3.b: Support research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including young people and persons with disabilities.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research and upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or economic status.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 3:
   • Number of patients served annually at specialized centers (e.g., 9,000 patients at Pediatric Care Center).
   • Availability and expansion of primary care practices (currently 36 practices supporting approximately 200,000 patients).
   • Number of visits to emergency departments (e.g., 32,000 visits in 2024 at Middletown Emergency Department).
   • Implementation and utilization of innovative treatments (e.g., MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound for movement disorders).
2. Indicators related to SDG 8:
   • Number of new full-time jobs created (e.g., more than 70 jobs projected from Middletown campus expansion).
   • Economic impact of investments measured by amount invested ($375 million past, $865 million planned).
3. Indicators related to SDG 9:
   • Number and size of new health infrastructure projects (e.g., 87,000-square-foot Health Center at Middletown).
   • Number of new ambulatory surgery centers developed through partnerships.
4. Indicators related to SDG 10:
   • Number of community health workers trained and certified.
   • Extent of outreach and connection to health and social resources in underserved communities.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: news.christianacare.org