New Hampshire Public Health Association

09/22/2023

When Should You Get Your Flu Shot? Experts Reveal the Ideal Time
Plus, find out if you should get it during the same time as your COVID booster or RSV vaccine.

Timing is so important when it comes to getting your vaccine.

09/21/2023

As an association and coalition, we are committed to ensuring that every individual should have an equitable and impartial chance to attain optimal health. Achieving this necessitates the elimination of barriers to health, such as poverty, discrimination, and their associated outcomes, which encompass powerlessness, limited access to decent employment opportunities with fair remuneration, quality education and housing, secure environments, and healthcare services, including access to vaccination. Vaccine equity acknowledges that no nation, state, or individual's life is more important or more deserving than another's. All people deserve the opportunity to receive a vaccine.

This month, we have invited ​Dr. Iyabode F. Akinsanya-Beysolow, a physician and a public health professional, to discuss Vaccine Equity. This is an opportunity for us to discuss ways we can address vaccine equity at the system, provider, and patient levels and provide some practical tools that public health providers and clinicians can institute to improve vaccine equity amongst all populations, particularly older adults, people living with disabilities and members of racial and ethnic minority communities.

Also, at the VaxWell Coalition Quarterly Meeting on Friday, September 29, Dr. Ryan M. Tannian, Acting Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Infectious Disease Control, Division of Public Health Services at the NH Department of Health and Human Services, will share a quarterly vaccination update with our members.

We can only improve the public's health once we eliminate inequity and inequalities and remove obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education, housing, safe environments, and health care. This is a path that will test our biases, tolerance level, and belief system, question our foundation, and challenge our commitment to make changes to improve the public's health, and we are determined to get to the finish line.

09/20/2023

The new COVID vaccines: What doctors and patients need to know
The shots offer more protection as new variants emerge. Experts explain why people should get them, how they differ from earlier vaccines, and factors patients should consider.

The shots offer new protection as variants emerge. Experts explain why to get them, how they differ from earlier vaccines, and factors patients should consider.

09/18/2023

A new study doesn’t show Pfizer’s COVID vaccine causes ‘VAIDS’

THE FACTS: As U.S. health officials recommend most Americans receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine, some online are re-airing false claims about the shots — with a new spin.

09/15/2023

Looking for the new COVID vaccine booster? Here's where to get the shot.

Pharmacies across the U.S. have started administering new COVID-19 booster formulations from drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the revised mRNA vaccine shots Monday as several COVID variants spread and hospitalizations rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the shots for everyone 6 months and older. The vaccine is similar to previously approved formulas but it was updated to target the XBB variants that became prevalent last winter.

Reformulated vaccine is already available at some pharmacies and will be more widely accessible starting next week.

09/15/2023

09/15/2023

Rates of su***de are especially high among transgender people, particularly trans youth. This is a disturbing aspect of su***de that as an opinion writer who has repeatedly called out bigots, I understood in the abstract. Now it’s personal. A close friend of my neighbor told me that bigotry played a role in her death. She “endured a lifetime of transphobia and violence,” the friend explained. It turns the stomach to reflect that in 2023 America, one su***de prevention strategy must be resistance to the mainstreaming of hate.

A truth that is difficult for me to acknowledge right now but which is crucial to understand is that su***de is often preventable. It’s impossible to know if my friend’s death was preventable. But many su***des are.

09/13/2023

As ACA Marketplace Enrollment Reaches Record High, Fewer Are Buying Individual Market Coverage Elsewhere

This analysis looks at how many people are signed up for each type of individual ACA Marketplace coverage—both on- and off-Marketplace and with or without subsidies—as of early 2023 based on federal enrollment data and administrative data insurers report to state regulators, as compiled by Mark ...

09/12/2023

The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.
The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the newest shots from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they've never had a coronavirus vaccination. It's part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine much like getting a yearly flu shot.
There's still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations Tuesday on who most needs the updated shots. Vaccinations could begin later this week, and both the COVID-19 and flu shot can be given at the same visit.

The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.

09/11/2023

New Hampshire officials on Friday announced new resources aimed at preventing su***de, which is the state’s second leading cause of death of people aged 15 to 34 and its ninth leading cause of death overall.

State leaders on Friday discussed new resources to combat New Hampshire su***des ahead of National Su***de Prevention Week.

09/10/2023

When should you get a booster?
Experts agree: Individuals who want to get boosted now should wait for the upcoming shot (unless they have pressing medical needs) as it will be more targeted toward variants that are circulating currently.
The new booster and the recommendations for who should get it should come by mid-September. After that, planning when to get it really depends on your current needs and the state of the ongoing wave, experts say.

Covid shots are — and are not — like your annual flu vaccine.

08/31/2023

In the latest data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Covid-19 hospitalizations rose 18.8 percent between August 13 and August 19. Overall, they have been increasing since July 1.
And in the last week, there was a 19 percent increase in locations reporting their highest levels of SARS-CoV-2 ever in sewage wastewater (and that’s despite a decrease in the number of cities reporting the virus in their wastewater).
This is all to say: Covid-19 appears to be making a comeback. And what’s more, this summer and fall uptick coincides with (but may not be caused by) a new dominant variant of the virus taking hold in the US. It’s called EG.5, unofficially nicknamed Eris, and the CDC estimates it’s causing 20.6 percent of current Covid-19 cases in the country. And it’s on the rise: Since the beginning of July, EG.5’s prevalence has increased 12.7 percent.

What "Eris" tells us about the future of the pandemic.

08/28/2023

A recent study posted by the American Medical Association shows there was “evidence of higher excess mortality for Republican voters compared with Democratic voters in Florida and Ohio after, but not before, COVID-19 vaccines were available to all adults in the US”.

The study looked at weekly death counts from January of 2018 to December of 2021, ranging in age from 25 to 85 and older. The deaths were then linked to mortality data and a person who was registered as either a Republican or Democrat (for Ohio that constituted anyone who voted in a party’s primary within two years).

The data showed a 20% increase in expected deaths from March 2020 to December of 2021 for all groups. After April 1 of 2021, when the vaccine became more readily available, Republicans had a 7.7% greater death rate than Democrats.

New study shows more Republican deaths during COVID-19 than Democrats.

08/25/2023

Three Shots for Fall: What You Need to Know
Here’s what we know about who should get the flu, Covid and R.S.V. vaccines, and when.

Here’s what we know about who should get the flu, Covid and R.S.V. vaccines, and when.

08/23/2023

Here’s What Vaccines Your Child Will Need Before School Starts

Each state has different school vaccinations requirements, but many vaccines are required across the country.

08/21/2023

With summer travel in full swing, and masks a distant memory, it’s not entirely surprising that COVID-19 cases are creeping upward again. Along with the increase, some states in the U.S. are also recording upticks in COVID-19 hospitalizations, especially among older people.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), weekly hospitalizations have been rising slightly since the middle of June, from around 6,300 to more than 8,000 for the week ending July 22. The agency no longer reports on national case numbers since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency in May, meaning state health departments were no longer required to report this data to the CDC.

A new COVID-19 booster is coming in the fall, but does it make sense to get a booster now?

08/19/2023

New law may help – won’t solve – health facilities’ rising staffing costs

The law sets limits on staffing agencies' practices with the goal of controlling costs.

08/16/2023

U.S. Sees Mini Surge in COVID-19 Rates This Summer
COVID-19 is causing more hospitalizations than earlier this year, and more people are testing positive. Still, health authorities expect most cases to be mild.

CDC data on hospitalizations, positive tests results, and wastewater virus levels show that COVID-19 is on the upswing. Are you at risk? Read on.

08/16/2023

Last Chance to Register for the Intersections of Inequity and Aging Webinar scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 2:00 PM. Register Today at https://www.nhpha.org/phwebinars.html

08/15/2023

A federal appeals court has upheld a 2021 Connecticut law that eliminated the state’s longstanding religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day care facilities.

The decision comes about a year and a half after a lower court judge dismissed the lawsuit challenging the contentious law, which drew protests at the state Capitol.

“This decision is a full and resounding affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of Connecticut’s vaccine requirements. Vaccines save lives — this is a fact beyond dispute,” Democratic Attorney General William Tong said in a statement. “The legislature acted responsibly and well within its authority to protect the health of Connecticut families and stop the spread of preventable disease.”

A federal appeals court has upheld a 2021 Connecticut law that eliminated the state’s longstanding religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools, colleges and day care facilities.

08/14/2023

Maine, New Hampshire healthcare provider to pay $22M in settlement over Medicare fraud claims

https://www.wmtw.com/article/martins-point-settlement-medicare-fraud-claims/44692573 #

Martin's Point Health Care is accused of making patients appear sicker they were to get higher monthly payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

08/14/2023

NHPHA invites you to join its Mentorship Program. Become a Mentor and Shape the Future of the Public Health Profession!

https://mailchi.mp/nhpha/nhpha-mentorship-program-application-now-open?e=d8a30bfcb5

08/12/2023

The head of the state’s largest agency can drop the “interim” from her title.
The Executive Council voted this week to confirm Lori Weaver of Concord as commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. She has served as acting commissioner since late last year, when Commissioner Lori Shibinette stepped down.
Weaver says she’s made progress on one of her top priorities: making a dent in the agency’s staff shortages.

Lori Weaver, of Concord, was serving as acting commissioner since Dec. 17, 2022.

08/11/2023

Health officials, vaccine makers and doctors are gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that will look different from previous ones: Vaccines will be distributed to pharmacies and doctors offices through the commercial market, not government purchases. The vaccines are targeting the recently dominant XBB.1.5 strain in line with instructions the Food and Drug Administration set earlier this year.
Boosters updated to target XBB.1.5 should retain good protection against EG.5, because the Omicron subvariants are similar, Kanter said. It is difficult to predict how long the protection might last, he said.

What we know about EG.5, the most common U.S. subvariant

08/10/2023

The New Hampshire Public Health Association August Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/nhpha/nhpha-newsletter-august-2023-issue?e=d8a30bfcb5

This issue, NHPHA shares nine public health topics, including childhood immunization rates after the COVID pandemic, medical providers' distress due to insured and underinsured patients, economic challenges faced by the NH LGBTQ+ population, Alpha-Gal Syndrome, the new RSV vaccine guidelines for older individuals, Malaria in the United States, the case of Hepatitis C, Xylazine, and a look into weight loss methods. Thank you for reading!

NHPHA launched the Beat the Heat NH campaign earlier this month and distributed 1000+ flyers and posters requested by Dartmouth Health and other local organizations.

08/09/2023

NH is extending Medicaid coverage for new moms

It's part of a package of policy changes that aim to improve maternal and child health — dubbed the “Momnibus" — in the new state budget.

08/07/2023

In various aspects of life, we witness the undeniable power of partnerships – be it in business, personal relationships like marriages and engagements, or grassroots community action groups.

The strength of the community mental health system in New Hampshire depends not only on the work and dedication of its 10 nonprofit community mental health centers, their directors, staff, and boards – but also on the partnering relationships we have with New Hampshire hospitals.

The work and the mission of the mental health centers and the hospitals in our state are well aligned and can often be seen in their mission statements. At our core is the goal we share in our commitment to improve people’s overall health, inclusive of their behavioral health needs, in the communities we serve.

The collaboration between New Hampshire’s mental health centers and hospitals runs deep, encompassing shared regions, historical ties, interconnected networks, and in some cases, even staff and board members.

The work and the mission of the mental health centers and the hospitals in our state are well aligned and can often be seen in their mission statements.

08/03/2023

Ageism has impacted health and well-being and advanced inequities in New Hampshire, and across the country, for centuries. Northern New England has experienced demographic changes that leave the three states with the oldest population in the country by many measures. During this webinar, we will broaden our awareness of ageism, understand the root causes of ageism, explore the impacts of ageism on our health and well-being, and learn how to respond to ageist acts. Join the NH Public Health Association on Thursday August 17, 2023 from 2 – 3 pm and learn about how to Define ageism and intersectionality; Understand theories on the root causes of ageism; Recognize the health and well-being impacts of ageism and Know how to respond to ageist acts. Register today at https://www.nhpha.org/phwebinars.html The NH Public Health Association https://www.nhpha.org/ The New Hampshire Public Health Association (NHPHA) is a statewide non-profit public health membership association founded in 1992. The NHPHA is an affiliate of the American Public Health Association (APHA).

NH Public Health Services New Hampshire Public Health Association American Public Health Association AARP AARP NH National Council on Aging Community Health Services Granite United Way Community Caregivers of Greater Derry

08/03/2023

Stay informed about heat-related alerts and warnings in your area and follow the advice of local authorities. 📢 https://www.nhpha.org/beattheheatnh.html

08/01/2023

🌞 Stay cool, stay safe New Hampshire! 🌞

​Extreme heat poses a significant threat to our health. Heatwaves can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat rash, sunburns, and skin cancer. More than 20,000 people living in...

07/28/2023

Hepatitis B is a serious disease.
Protect your family by getting tested and for today. Visit the ’s Know Hepatitis B page to learn more about testing & treatment: https://go.usa.gov/xsxmA

07/27/2023

Dress light and wear breathable fabrics to allow your body to cool down naturally. ☁️ www.nhpha.org/beattheheatnh

07/25/2023

Summer’s here New Hampshire! Learn tips to stay healthy during extreme heat. www.nhpha.org/beattheheatnh

07/24/2023

Two-thirds of Americans with B are unaware of their condition, and only testing can determine if someone is living with hepatitis B. Unsure if you should get tested? Check using the CDC’s free Know Hepatitis B resource at https://go.usa.gov/xsxfz

07/22/2023

For growing numbers of Granite Staters, home care from family and friends is key

Lori Safford’s adult sons, Sam, 25, and Ben, 27, have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an incurable muscle-weakening disease that was diagnosed when they were 4 and 6 years old.

07/22/2023

University of New England nurse wins prestigious international award

PORTLAND — A University of New England nurse was recently awarded the esteemed Kim Day Service Award from the International Association of Forensic

07/17/2023

Babies born to moms infected with HBV are at risk for infection. All pregnant individuals should be screened for HBV early during each pregnancy. Almost all cases of perinatal HBV can be prevented if the newborn receives the recommended immunizations at the recommended times.
If you are pregnant, talk with your health care provider about the recommendations for testing and vaccination.

07/14/2023

Hepatitis B is treatable. Know whether you are infected by getting tested right away. Protect your health. Talk with your health care provider about getting tested for and vaccinated against hepatitis B.