NH Health Department Launches Environmental Health Tool

New Hampshire’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network Designed to Protect Residents’ Health

Concord, NH – As part of continuing efforts to protect the health of New Hampshire citizens and guests from environmental hazards, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Department of Environmental Services (DES) today announce the launching of the Environmental Health Data Integration Network (EHDIN). EHDIN is a first-of-its-kind environmental health tool and part of a national initiative led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to close the gap in what is known about the impact of environmental hazards on health.

This web-based system tracks key environmental hazards and health problems, such as air pollution and asthma as well as arsenic and bladder cancer, across New Hampshire. The data will improve understanding of such hazards and lead to actions that can prevent chronic illnesses.

“In the face of challenging issues such as increasing cancer rates and growing health care costs, tracking and understanding the impact of environmental conditions is a top priority,” said Dr. Jose Montero, Director of Public Health at DHHS. “The Environmental Health Data Integration Network is a major step forward in web-based surveillance. We have worked hard to preserve an environment of clean air, pure water, and safe housing in our state – now its time to show our past success and track our continued progress. It may sound simple, but better health statistics really does mean better disease prevention.”

With EHDIN, residents will be able to access both environmental data and health outcome data simultaneously. This will help them make informed decisions and take action to protect themselves and their communities. On the website people can learn about environmental hazards and related health effects in New Hampshire and in their county, including:

Asthma and heart attack hospitalization rates for counties and the State

Air pollution trends for ozone and particulate matter

Drinking water contaminants, such as arsenic, in public water systems

Cancer rates for counties and the State as a whole

“Environmental hazards are one factor in the overall health equation. These data will be available for the public to use in conjunction with consideration of how certain lifestyle issues and genetic factors play a role in health outcomes,” said DES Commissioner Thomas Burack. “The launch of the new EHDIN system provides a new tool to help make existing data more accessible.”

New Hampshire is one of 16 states to receive funding from the CDC to build tracking networks and conduct pilot projects in order to improve our knowledge of potential links between environmental hazards and health effects.

There has been a fundamental gap in the country’s knowledge of how and the extent to which environmental hazards affect health. For example, chronic disease accounts for 70% of deaths in the United States. Links between certain chronic diseases and environmental hazards have been reported; however, whether there are additional causal connections remains unclear. With New Hampshire’s participation, CDC’s environmental public health tracking efforts are working to develop additional information to help determine the role of environmental hazards in health outcomes.

For more information and to access the New Hampshire EHDIN, please visit www.nh.gov/epht. To visit the national Tracking Network, go to www.cdc.gov/ephtracking.

NH DHHS - Tuesday, May 19, 2009 H1N1 Update

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) announced this afternoon that two more New Hampshire residents have been diagnosed with H1N1 (swine) influenza. The newly confirmed cases are a 10 year old from Nashua and a 4 year old from Londonderry. DPHS is investigating both of these cases.

Summary of New Hampshire Cases as of May 19, 2009

Twenty-two cases of H1N1 Confirmed in New Hampshire

1) Concord Hospital employee

2) Second Concord Hospital employee

3) Upper Valley resident

4) 3-year-old from greater Nashua area

5) 18-year-old Kearsarge High School student

6) 15-year-old New Hampton student

7) 13-year-old Nashua resident (attends school in Massachusetts)

8) 19-year-old Kearsarge High School student

9) Second 13-year-old Nashua resident

10) Derry resident

11) Rochester resident

12) 10-year-old Bedford resident

13) Nashua resident

14) Hudson resident

15) 11-year-old Keene resident

16) 12-year-old Nashua resident (attends school out of state)

17) 7-year-old Upper Valley resident

18) 11-year-old Keene resident

19) Keene resident

20) Adult from Greater Salem area

21) 10-year-old Nashua resident

22) 4-year-old Londonderry resident

Samples tested

Through Tuesday afternoon, the DHHS Public Health Labs have completed testing on 845 samples. Of these, 801 tested negative for seasonal flu and H1N1, 22 samples tested positive for seasonal flu, and 22 tested positive for H1N1.

DHHS wants to remind everyone to stay home from work or school if you feel sick; cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze; and wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or preparing food. These steps can help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu and many other illnesses.

For questions about H1N1, possible symptoms, travel information, or other issues related to this illness residents can call 1-888-330-6764 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. For more information on H1N1 flu, visit www.dhhs.nh.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu.

NH DHHS - Tuesday, May 12, 2009 H1N1 Update

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) announced this afternoon another New Hampshire resident has been diagnosed with H1N1 (swine) influenza. The newly confirmed case is a 7-year-old from the Upper Valley. The child is doing well and recovering at home. DPHS has conducted an investigation and anyone who may have been exposed to the illness has been identified.

Summary of New Hampshire Cases as of May 12, 2009

Seventeen cases of H1N1 Confirmed in New Hampshire

Concord Hospital employee

Second Concord Hospital employee

Upper Valley resident

3-year-old from greater Nashua area

18-year-old Kearsarge High School student

15-year-old New Hampton student

13-year-old Nashua resident (attends school in Massachusetts)

19-year-old Kearsarge High School student

Second 13-year-old Nashua resident

Derry resident

Rochester resident

10-year-old Bedford resident

Nashua resident

Hudson resident

11-year-old Keene resident

12-year-old Nashua resident (attends school out of state)

7-year-old Upper Valley resident


Samples tested

Through Tuesday afternoon, the DHHS Public Health Labs completed testing on 709 samples. Of these, 671 tested negative for seasonal flu and H1N1, 21samples tested positive for seasonal flu, and 17 tested positive for H1N1.

DHHS wants to remind everyone to stay home from work or school if you feel sick; cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze; and wash your hands. These steps can help prevent the spread of illness.

For questions about H1N1, possible symptoms, travel information, or other issues related to this illness residents can call 1-888-330-6764 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily. For more information on H1N1 flu, visit www.dhhs.nh.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu.