Heart disease, cancer and stoke, however, continued to be the three leading causes of death in Delaware and the nation. The median age at death changes slowly with the overall age being 73 in 1987 and 75 in 1997. Only 60.9 percent of single mothers received adequate prenatal care during 1997, compared to 80.1 percent of married mothers. The percentage of babies delivered by cesarean section has slowly but steadily declined from a peak of 25.2 percent in 1990 to 21.0 percent in 1997. The percentage of mothers receiving adequate prenatal care decreased from 74.0 percent in 1996 to 73.2 percent in 1997.
Vital statistics are useful in developing health and social programs.
This information is used by a variety of health providers and social service agencies throughout the state. I am pleased to see continued progress in our efforts to reduce infant mortality and cancer mortality. Programs to tackle those challenges are paying dividends measured by lives saved. I also remain committed to seeing more mothers receive good prenatal care here in the First State - we have more work to do in this area.