NH DHHS - WIC Survey Shows Families Eating Healthier in New Hampshire

Concord, NH – After more than 25 years, the United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA) made significant changes to the WIC food package based

on guidance from the Institute of Medicine. A recent survey shows that as a

result, New Hampshire women and children on the WIC program are eating

healthier.



To measure impact, the National Food and Nutrition Survey (NATFAN) was

administered to WIC participants in New Hampshire before and after the

rollout of the new food package (fall 2009 and spring 2011). Pre- and

post-survey results were compared to determine changes in consumption

patterns and attitudes among WIC participants.



“Given that over one-third of low-income children two to five years of age

are overweight or obese, this is a positive step in the right direction,”

said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at the New Hampshire

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which administers the

Program in the State. “WIC families are pleased with the addition of new

foods to WIC, such as whole grain bread, fruits, and vegetables.”



Among women, there was a 74% increase in fruit consumption three or more

times per day. The same percentage increase was observed for vegetable

consumption three or more times per day. The post-survey showed that more

women are now consuming low-fat milk as well. Consumption of whole grains

increased among women, while consumption of refined grains such as white

bread and white rice decreased.



Among children, there was a 73% increase in consumption of vegetables three

or more times per day. Fruit consumption three or more times per day

increased by 38%. The post-survey showed increased consumption of whole

grains including brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole wheat tortillas.

Additionally, the post-survey showed that more parents were willing to

offer fat-free milk to their children over two years of age.



For more information on the new WIC food package and the survey results,

visit the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/documents/natfan11rpt.pdf  or the National WIC

Association website at www.nwica.org/?q=aboutwic/NATFAN .

NH Council of Churches - New Date Casino Committee Work Session January 19 at 3:30pm

To Committee ... Do Not Resuscitate

Your calls and our messages have been working, so much so that HB-593 backers have been forced to schedule a special multi-committee work session (Thurs, Jan 19, 3:30 pm, LOB 210) to see if they can save the bill from defeat. 

While there will be no opportunity for the public to speak at this "save 593 from defeat" work session, your presence is important to show that the public is watching the casino lobbyists continuing attempts to pull off a back room deal to enrich their clients at our state's expense.

Arrive at 3:15 at the work session to speak personally with any of the below Reps you know or who represents you. If you can't make the work session, please phone and leave a brief message asking your representatives to oppose slot casinos in any form.

LAST	FIRST	CITY/TOWN	HOME	WORK
Abrami	Patrick	Stratham	772-3489	781-272-8001
Almy	Susan	Lebanon	448-4769	359-5557
Azarian	Gary	Salem	890-8669	898-9781
Butynski	William	Hinsdale	336-7498	336-7498
Cartwright	Anne	Alstead	756-3781
Cebrowski	John	Bedford	472-9113
Cohn	Seth	Canterbury	783-5693
Cooney	Mary	Plymouth	536-1141	798-3700
Coulombe	Gary	Berlin	752-1650	723-0102
Daugherty	Duffy	Colebrook	237-8618	728-8635
Davenport	Joshua	Newmarket	767-2166
Griffin	Mary	Windham	432-0959
Hamm	Chris	Hopkinton	746-4919
Hatch	William	Gorham	466-9491	306-6199
Hess	David	Hooksett	485-9027	801-4790
Huxley	Robert	Greenville
Itse	Daniel	Fremont	642-9403	702-0381
Katsiantonis	Thomas	Manchester	627-9652	606-4244
Krasucki	Joseph	Nashua	888-2956	885-3494
Luther	Robert	Laconia	524-4692
Major	Norman	Plaistow	382-5429	382-5429
McDonnell	John	Chichester	494-4521
Murphy	Keith	Bedford	471-3043	644-3535
Ober	Russell	Hudson	883-9654
Ohm	Bill	Nashua	891-2306	617-290-4114
Osgood	Joe	Claremont	543-0762	543-9744
Reichard	Kevin	Derry	432-0141	879-7000
Richardson	Gary	Hopkinton	746-4315	224-7791
Sanborn	Laurie	Loudon	682-1557
Sapareto	Frank	Derry	894-7083	894-4964
Schmidt	Andrew	Grantham	863-1247
Serlin	Christopher	Portsmouth	436-8184
Shuler	Wes	East Kingston	347-2011
Stepanek	Stephen	Milford	673-7658	801-9496
Ulery	Jordan	Hudson	882-8979	231-7867
Weeden	Michael	Dover	742-4009	312-2243

HB 593 is a casino bill that would allow construction and operation of two casinos to be built in New Hampshire and establishes a permit process for table gaming and video lottery.  

Click here to read more about HB 593

Click here to read NHCC's statement on expanded gambling

NH DHHS Recognizes Families First in Portsmouth with Innovation Award for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence

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

(DHHS) will recognize Families First Health and Support Center (FF) in

Portsmouth on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 for its efforts implementing an

electronic feedback system with QuitWorks-NH. (QuitWorks-NH is a free

service DHHS offers to help providers connect patients to cessation

services in New Hampshire). The aim of the project was to increase FF’s

capacity to intervene with patients who use tobacco, through modifications

to their electronic health records. The result was a unique, paperless

communication loop between Families First clinicians and QuitWorks-NH.

Since piloting the project, FF has seen an increase in the identification

of patients that use tobacco and an increase in referrals to QuitWorks-NH.

This project is the first of its kind in the State and one of the first

being achieved in the Nation.


DATE: Wednesday, January 11, 2012

3:30 PM


EVENT: Families First Receives Innovation Award


LOCATION: Families First Health and Support Center

100 Campus Drive

Portsmouth, NH

NH DHHS - Test Results of Recalled Infant Formula Negative

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

(DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) issued precautions

recently about the voluntary recall of a powdered infant formula following

the death of an infant in Missouri. The infant died from a Cronobacter

sakazakii infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

issued findings that samples they tested were negative so there is no need

for a recall of infant formula and parents may continue to use Enfamil

Newborn powdered infant formula, following the manufacturer’s directions on

the printed label.


A total of four infants in the U.S. with Cronobacter infection were

included in the investigation, which is ongoing. There is currently no

evidence to conclude that the infant formula or nursery water was

contaminated during manufacturing or shipping or to suggest the cases were

related. The CDC will continue its investigation, however, to determine the

source(s) of the infection.


“Since all testing has come back negative we feel safe in telling parents

to resume use of the voluntarily recalled formula,” said DHHS’ Public

Health Director Dr. José Montero. “We continue, as always, to remind

parents and caregivers to take precautions when preparing, storing, and

feeding infant formula to prevent contamination.”


The bacteria Cronobacter can be found naturally in the environment and has

been found in many foods, including powdered infant formula and water.

Cronobacter sakazakii rarely causes illness in humans; however, it can

cause infections in infants including meningitis which can be fatal.


For infants who are fed with powdered infant formula, DHHS continues to

recommend careful adherence to infection prevention measures while

preparing formula. These include washing your hands with soap and water

before preparation, cleaning all feeding equipment in hot, soapy water and

preparing formula for just one feeding at a time. U.S. Department of

Agriculture guidelines on the safe preparation of powdered infant formula

are available at on the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/documents/formula.pdf .

Heritage: The Weather is Cooling, but the Battle of Ideas is Heating Up!

Peruse These Great Conservative Resources

Yesterday was Bill of Rights Day, which commemorated the ratification of our nation's first 10 constitutional amendments.  The Insider Blog posted a video about the importance of the rule of law. Other blog posts teach you that Timing Matters in Social Networking and tips on Building Your Brand By Brandishing Your Best Brochures.

Having Dinner With Your Family Matters

Do you believe that having dinner as a family is healthy but can't put your finger on why? Research shows that families who have dinner together are far less likely to engage in substance abuse.

Heritage updated FamilyFacts.org with new data on the family and religious practice in America. Faith and family play a critical role in maintaining civil society. Before you engage in public policy debates on religion and social policy please visit FamilyFacts.org for factual reinforcements.

The National Popular Vote Plan Would Abolish the Electoral College

The National Popular Vote scheme (NPV) is a major effort being made to effectively abolish the Electoral College  This state compact would force states to allocate their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, rather than the winner of the popular vote in their state. Watch a video of a recent event in which state attorneys general raise serious concerns about NPV's unintended consequences.

It's Time to Scrap the Existing Tax Code

I'm sure you've heard many tax proposals, and even the idea of a flat tax.  Tax expert J.D. Foster put together a NEW flat tax proposal that's as easy as one, two, three.

Regarding Wealth: A Rising Economic Tide Lifts ALL Ships

It is imperative that conservatives educate the public on how free market policies help all citizens, from the richest to the poorest.  There are so many misconceptions our there that the Acton Institute's Jay W. Richards took a crack at explaining the Eight Myths of Wealth and Poverty from a Christian conservative perspective.

Choose Sovereignty Over Submission

Donna Hearne's Constitutional Coalition is hosting their Educational Policy Conference 23 on January 26-28 in Saint Louis, MO.  The conference will focus on American's choice between sovereignty or submission and feature a presentation by Heritage's own Genevieve Wood.