NH DHHS - Recognizes Stroke Prevention and High Blood Pressure Awareness Month

Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), Heart Disease and Stroke

Prevention Program is recognizing May as Stroke Prevention Month and High

Blood Pressure Awareness Month to raise awareness about these common and

dangerous conditions. Since 1989 this day has been used to try to encourage

people to learn their risks about stroke, which is the 5th leading cause of

death in New Hampshire.



Somewhere in the U.S. someone has a stroke every 40 seconds. Stroke is

responsible for 133,000 deaths in the United States each year, or one in

every 18. A stroke is when a blockage causes blood flow to the brain to

stop or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts. This can cause

life-changing complications such as paralysis, loss of mental ability,

language difficulty, depression, and of course death. Strokes can happen to

people of any age, not just seniors.



“Many people probably don’t think that they would ever have a stroke,” said

Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “But anyone can be at

risk and many people don’t even realize they have risk factors, one of the

most important being uncontrolled high blood pressure. There are things we

can all do to live healthier lives and reduce our chances of stroke and

other related health problems. Everyone should also be aware of the signs

of a stroke whether to help themselves or someone else who may be having

one.”



In New Hampshire, according to the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

Survey (BRFSS), 28.6% of adults reported that they have high blood

pressure, 58.3% of people 65 years of age or older have high blood

pressure, and 25% of people who have high blood pressure do not take

medication for their condition.





In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Million

Hearts™ initiative to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

A primary focus is on the ABCS to prevent cardiovascular disease, including

stroke, and contribute to overall health:





Know your ABCS of health:

Appropriate Aspirin therapy: Ask your doctor if taking aspirin is

right for you.

Blood pressure control: Keeping your blood pressure under control

reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke. More than half of

the world’s stroke deaths are caused by elevated blood pressure

levels.

Cholesterol management: Get your cholesterol checked regularly and

manage it with diet and physical activity or with medication, if

needed.

Smoking cessation: Get help at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Exercise regularly

Eat a healthy diet that’s low in sodium

Maintain a healthy weight

Prevent or control diabetes

Limit your alcohol intake (fewer than two drinks per day for men, or

one drink per day for women)



When responding to a stroke, every minute counts. The sooner a patient

receives medical treatment, the lower the risk for death or disability. If

you or someone you know exhibits the following signs or symptoms, call

9-1-1 immediately for medical attention.



Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side

of the body

Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding

Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination

Severe headache with no known cause



Remember, getting immediate medical attention for stroke is crucial to

preventing disability and death, so don’t delay—dial 9-1-1.



The NH Stroke Steering Committee, which is made up of state and community

partners, is working on strengthening stroke systems of care through

bringing partners together to implement heart and stroke activities

relating to the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program objectives of

reducing the prevalence of stroke and stroke deaths.



For more information about National Stroke Prevention Month, visit

www.stroke.org . To learn more about stroke, visit the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/stroke  To learn more about

the Million Hearts™ initiative, visit

http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/index.html.

NH DHHS - Give Second Annual Immunization Champion Award

Concord, NH - The Immunization Program in the Division of Public Health

Services at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) celebrates the second New Hampshire Childhood Immunization Champion,

Angela Smith. She is Associate Practice Director at CORE Physicians, LLC in

Exeter, New Hampshire.



The award was launched last year and is given jointly by the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation to recognize

individuals who are doing an exemplary job or going above and beyond to

promote or foster childhood immunizations in their communities.



Angela Smith successfully revised the mass influenza immunization annual

event held by CORE Pediatrics in Exeter and helped vaccinate a record 1,200

children over a 10-hour period. It was also in part because of Angela’s

work and dedication that CORE Pediatrics in Exeter became the first office

at CORE Physicians to enroll in the New Hampshire Immunization Program’s

adult Tdap vaccination initiative. Her tireless efforts to immunize New

Hampshire’s children has led to extraordinary success. Angela considers the

needs of her patients and their families first and engages with her

coworkers to ensure projects run smoothly.



“While I am honored to receive this recognition,” said Smith, “I have to

acknowledge the incredible team I work with and all the effort they put

into this undertaking. No idea can come to fruition unless everyone works

together and does their part. Whenever we can we want to go above and

beyond for our patients and I certainly could not have done this alone.”



“It is dedicated healthcare personnel such as Angela who make New

Hampshire’s state-wide immunization program a success,” said Immunization

Program Manager Marcella Bobinsky. “We are grateful for all her hard work,

dedication, initiative and creative thinking that make her such a valuable

asset to the Exeter region and New Hampshire overall.”



For more information about the Childhood Immunization Champion Award, go to

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/champions/index.html  For more information

about immunizations in New Hampshire, contact the DHHS Immunization Program

at 603-271-4482 or visit the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/index.htm

Franklin Center - And the 2013 Breitbart Winner is ...

Tonight Franklin Center President Jason Stverak will announce the 2013 Breitbart Award winner at the Heritage Foundation Resource Bank.

This person carries the torch for freedom in Andrew's footsteps inspiring Americans across this country each and every day. Throughout their career this person has consistently stood up for freedom and truth, countering left-wing narratives and calling out liberal lies, bias, and misinformation in the media.

More than anyone, we believe this person carries on Breitbart’s legacy and matches his achievements as the banner carrier for citizen activists all across America.

Last Night, we will be honored this person in Orlando, Florida at 8:15 PM. 

CLICK HERE to watch the 2013 Breitbart Award presentation live.

P.S. Follow the action and join the conversation on Twitter using #BreitbartAward!

NH DHHS - NH Senior Volunteers Honored for Their Service to Seniors

Concord, NH – New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas and Governor Maggie Hassan joined with the

State Committee on Aging and EngAGING NH to recognize this year’s

recipients of the Vaughan Awards. These awards are presented annually to a

couple or individual from each county who are 60 or older and have

demonstrated outstanding leadership and volunteer service on behalf of

senior citizens across New Hampshire.



“New Hampshire citizens have a long tradition of coming together and

working with one another to improve our communities,” said Governor Hassan.

“The Vaughan Award winners are a shining example of that tradition, proving

that when we care for each other, we all get stronger. On behalf of the

people of New Hampshire, I thank this year’s winners for their service and

dedication to making the Granite State a great place to live and work.”



“We are very fortunate here in New Hampshire to have so many seniors who

make volunteering a part of their lives,” said DHHS Commissioner Toumpas.

“It is so important that we recognize efforts of the Vaughan Award

recipients and all of our senior volunteers. All that they do has helped

to strengthen our communities and the network of programs and services

available for seniors in our State.”

This year's recipients are:

Belknap County: Jane Alden of Tilton

Carroll County: Don Litchko of Conway

Cheshire County: Theresa Johnson & Ernie Perham of Westmoreland

Coos County: Robert Loven of Dummer

Grafton County: Jodi Austin of Lebanon

Hillsborough County: Joyce Wilson of Manchester

Merrimack County: Irene Jewett of East Andover

Rockingham County: Barbara Coish of Windham

Strafford County: John Robicheau of Farmington

Sullivan County: Larry Eaton of Sunapee.



This year’s awardees will be honored in a ceremony on May 6, 2013 at 1:30

PM in the Executive Council Chamber at the State House. This award was

initiated in 1962 to memorialize the Honorable Joseph D. Vaughan, who was

instrumental in creating a State agency dedicated to the well being of

senior citizens.



For more information, contact event coordinator Roger Vachon at

603-223-6903 or via email at skeeter4us@aol.com.

NHYR - Hurst To Receive Gipper Award

Outgoing Chairman David Hurst To Receive Gipper Award

 

Concord, NH – Today New Hampshire Young Republicans announced that they will present Chairman David Hurst with the organizations highest honor "The Gipper Award" given yearly to a Republican under age 40 who displays an outstanding effort in the promoting New Hampshire's youth in the political process and the Republican cause.  The Gipper Award with be presented to Chairman Hurst at the NHYRs convention this Saturday by former House Speaker Bill O'Brien.  Those interested in attending the reception and convention can arrive at The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College tomorrow at 10am.  Below are quotes from New Hampshire Young Republican officers.
 
"Chairman David Hurst has been done amazing things for the NHYRs over the last 13 years. As Chairman, he has been instrumental in growing every aspect of the organization from our social media presence to fundraising and member recruitment.  He put together a great digital team to revamp our website and grew our fundraising efforts from the thousand into the 10's of thousand of dollars, setting records for the NHYRs.  He has poured his heart into this organization and we are sad to see him go.  It is very fitting that he received this award and I'm honored to have served with him." Jennifer Couture, Vice-Chairman New Hampshire Young Republican 

"David was instrumental in cultivating my involvement with the organization.  I am glad he did because we have had some great years and great accomplishments under his leadership.  He was a great support to me when I was a 14 year old activist and later when I made the decision to run for State Representative. The New Hampshire Young Republicans and the Republican Party as a whole will forever be in debt to the efforts he put  forward to making our party better." Shaun Doherty, Southern Regional Vice-Chaiman of the New Hampshire Young Republicans

"David is one of the rare instances you find of truly selfless servant leaders.  He doesn't ask from anyone what he wouldn't do himself.  He serves by reaching down and lifting up and empowering everyone around him.  He gives more credit to others then he should and he takes less credit then he deserves.  He has a magnetic energy and enthusiasm that makes others want to be a part of what he is doing. He has a great way of making situations mutually beneficial to everyone he serves with and treats people with great amount of respect. While the NHYR will miss his vision, the party can look forward to great things from him now and in the future." Andrew Hemingway, Northern Regional Vice-Chairman of the New Hampshire Young Republicans 

"It is because of David Hurst that I originally got involved in the NHYRs first serving as Vice-Chair of the Greater Manchester YR's when he was Chairman of that group in 2003.  Later with his support I becoming National Committeeman and currently serve as Chairman of the National Young Republican's Awards Committee.  David has always been supportive of the people he serves with and helps them rise to new levels in the party.  Many of the parties current leaders and elected officials can point to David Hurst for a large portion of their success.  David has amazing vision coupled with the ability to pull people together to accomplish tasks that no one could do on their own. He gets the need to build our party's bench, by recruiting new leaders into the party.  He is a person everyone wants in their corner, you couldn't have a better friend then David." Robert Burns, National Committeeman of the New Hampshire Young Republicans

"David has shown a tireless commitment to helping young Republicans across the state as Chair of the NHYRs for the last two years. It has been an honor to serve by his side and I look forward to seeing all he has to contribute to our party in the years to come." Molly Sanborn, Treasurer of the New Hampshire Young Republicans

“I nominated David Hurst to receive the Gipper Award because I know how many people he has brought into this organization, including myself. I would never have become involved in the New Hampshire Young Republicans if it weren’t for the inclusive and sincere leadership David has always shown. David is a person who knows we have to grow the Republican Party, and to do so we have to capture the hearts and minds of next-generation voters. His guidance for the Young Republicans will be sorely missed.” Tyler Deaton, Secretary of the New Hampshire Young Republicans

"I am incredibly honored to receive The Gipper Award," said Chairman Hurst. "My involvement with the NHYRs has been great life experience for me.  I have been blessed with a board that represents some amazing leaders in the Republican Party.  My success can be attributed to the fact that I built this organization around the philosophy that you surround yourself with good talented people, that you engineer a mutually beneficial  positive vision, that you empower your people with the resources to accomplish that vision, and when the job is done you show appreciation for the hard work they do. I am honored that my committee has decided to show their appreciation for my work by honoring me with this award, an award I will treasure along with the great memories of the people I served with and what we accomplished together."