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 Department of Health Recognizes National Wear Red Day to Promote Heart Disease Awareness

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 Wear Red Day on February 3rd and February

as American Heart Month. Wear Red Day is an effort to raise awareness of

women and heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for

women across the country and the second leading cause of death in New

Hampshire.



According to the American Heart Association, one in three women die of

heart disease. The American Heart Association also indicates that only 55%

of women realize heart disease is their number one killer, and fewer than

half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk

factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol. The good news is that both

men and women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82% by

leading a healthy lifestyle. The American Heart Association first launched

the Go Red for Women campaign in 2004 to try to change these numbers.



“More women die in the U.S. from heart disease than the next four causes of

death combined, including all forms of cancer,” said Dr. José Montero,

Director of Public Health at DHHS. “The Go Red for Women initiative is

meant to raise awareness, educate, and encourage women to take charge of

their health. There is much we can do to improve our health and decrease

our chances for heart disease, such as eating a healthy diet full of fruits

and vegetables, quitting smoking, exercising more, and getting a physical

exam regularly. It is also important to know the warning signs for a heart

attack because they are sometimes different for women.”



The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can include:

Chest discomfort - uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or

pain in the center of your chest. It lasts more than a few minutes,

or goes away and comes back.

Upper body discomfort - pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the

back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

Shortness of breath - with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs – may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or

lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain

or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to

experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness

of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.



If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, seek immediate medical

attention or call 911.



For more information about the American Heart Association, the Go Red for

Women Campaign, Wear Red Day, or American Heart Month, visit these

websites: www.heart.org , www.cdc.gov/features/heartmonth , or

www.goredforwomen.org  To contact the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Program at DHHS call 603-271-4544.

NH DHHS Issues Reminder to Residents: Take Simple Steps to Stop the Spread of Norovirus This Season

Concord, NH – The winter season is typically the time of year when there is

an increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal illness, often caused by

norovirus, so the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS) is offering tips to help guard against the spread of this illness.

This season so far is no exception from previous years, with many reports

of illness coming into the Division of Public Health Services (DPHS).



Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness or

what many people refer to as “the stomach flu.” Though they have nothing to

do with the flu (also called influenza), which is a respiratory illness,

noroviruses are highly contagious and can be responsible for large

outbreaks in communal settings such as healthcare facilities, schools, and

childcare centers.



“New Hampshire residents can play an important role in helping to stop the

spread of norovirus and other illnesses,” said DHHS Public Health Director

Dr. José Montero, “but it requires that all of us be vigilant in our

personal hygiene habits.”



Noroviruses can be transmitted a number of ways, including through

person-to-person contact, consumption of contaminated food and water,

airborne droplets of vomit, and contact with contaminted surfaces, such as

doorknobs and faucets. Symptoms of the illness include vomiting, diarrhea,

abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, and headache.



There is no specific treatment for norovirus and symptoms typically resolve

within 48 hours. However, DPHS recommends following these common sense

steps to aid in prevention:

Wash hands with soap and warm water after using the bathroom,

changing diapers, or caring for a household member with

symptoms of norovirus

Wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating

food

Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating

Wash raw vegetables before eating

Food service workers with symptoms of norovirus should not

prepare or touch food

Health care workers with norovirus symptoms should stay home

from work

Children with norovirus symptoms should stay home from school

or child care.



“Following these simple measures will help more New Hampshire residents

stay healthy during

this winter season,” Montero said. The Division of Public Health Services

will continue monitoring norovirus activity in New Hampshire. More

information about noroviruses is available on the DHHS website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov and on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

website at www.cdc.gov . To report an outbreak, contact DPHS’ Bureau of

Infectious Disease Control and Surveillance at 603-271-4496.

NH DHHS - Immunization Program Looking for Nominations for Childhood Immunization Champion Award

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

(DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) Immunization Program is

asking the public to nominate individuals for their work in promoting

childhood immunizations. New Hampshire is participating in the Center for

Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2012 Childhood Immunization Champion

Award contest. This annual award acknowledges a person from each of the 50

states and the District of Columbia.



“This is a wonderful opportunity for New Hampshire healthcare

professionals, coalition members, community leaders, teachers and others to

stand proud in their accomplishments in raising childhood immunization

rates,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health at DPHS. “New

Hampshire does a good job as a state and we should give ourselves a pat on

the back for it. This is a great way to recognize a particular person for

all their hard work and commitment.”



The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion is an individual who meets one or

more of the following award criteria:

Has provided community leadership on immunization rates among infants

and young children.

Has used creative and/or innovative strategies to promote infant and

young child immunization and meet unique immunization challenges within

their community, state, or region including, for example, reaching

hard-to-reach or under-immunized populations.

Has been a visible immunization champion for infants and young children

in a community and/or medical system by acting as a spokesperson,

advocate, and/or educator.

Has been an advocate for immunization policy advancements.


Nomination forms can be found on the DHHS Immunization Program website at

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/immunization/providers.htm . All forms should be sent

to the address below by February 10, 2012 at:

Marcella Bobinsky, Section Chief

NH Department of Health and Human Services

Immunization Program

29 Hazen Drive

Concord, NH 03301

Phone: 603-271-4482

Fax: 603-271-4932



For more information about childhood immunizations in New Hampshire, visit

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

NH DHHS - January Is Cervical Health Awareness Month

Free Screenings Available

Concord, NH – The United States Congress has designated January as Cervical
Health Awareness Month. The New Hampshire Breast and Cervical Cancer
Program (BCCP) at the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) would
like to remind women that they may be eligible for free screening services
through the Let No Woman Be Overlooked program.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death among women in
the United States. Over the past few decades, cervical cancer–related
deaths have decreased significantly. The decrease is mostly due to women
receiving regular preventive screening services such as a Pap test. A Pap
test is a procedure to detect early changes in cells from a woman’s cervix
before the changes become cancerous. In 2008, the CDC reported there were
12,410 new cervical cancer cases in the U.S., and 42 of those cases were
reported in New Hampshire.

“Regular screening is one of the most valuable and effective tools we
have against cervical cancer,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public
Health at DHHS. “Because of the Let No Woman Be Overlooked Program, over
24,000 New Hampshire women have received the recommended screening and care
needed for breast and cervical cancer since its inception.”

The Let No Woman Be Overlooked program provides screening and diagnostic
tests. Most women diagnosed through the BCCP with cancer are eligible for
Medicaid to pay for the costs of treatment. Services are provided at the
community level statewide through participating primary care offices,
community health centers, and hospital clinics. Many women are not aware
that if they meet the age and income criteria they too could receive FREE
cervical cancer screening in New Hampshire.

To receive National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) screenings and other services, federal guidelines require a woman to be uninsured or underinsured and at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty level. For example, for a family of two the annual income limit in New Hampshire is $36,775. The Let No Woman Be Overlooked program recommends women eighteen and older receive a Pap test every 1–2 years. If a woman has three normal Pap tests in a row, her healthcare provider may recommend an alternate screening schedule.

To determine if you or someone you know is eligible, please call
1-800-852-3345, ext. 4931 or visit the BCCP on the web at
www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdpc/bccp/index.htm