New Hampshire Public Health Association

11/26/2025

Too often, we’re surrounded by convenience. Ultra-processed foods—things like boxed meals, sugary snacks, soda, and fast food—are cheap, fast, and everywhere. They may fill us up quickly, but over time they chip away at our health, contributing to weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

But there is another way—and we see it every time we visit a local farmers market or buy from a roadside farm stand. Choosing locally made and organic, minimally processed foods is not only good for our bodies—it’s good for our communities. When we buy fresh eggs from a farm in Hopkinton, or pick up maple syrup and whole-grain bread from a market in Peterborough, we’re investing in our health and in our neighbors. We're getting more nutrients, fewer additives, and often more flavor.

We’re also taking control of something that feels increasingly out of reach in our fast-paced world: what goes into our bodies.

Local farmers’ markets and fresh, minimally processed foods can improve your health, fight disease, and strengthen New Hampshire communities.

11/25/2025

With ACA open enrollment, residents have more choices, greater cost uncertainty
With the onset of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, public health advocates warn uncertainty over the future of expanded tax credits for some of the state’s

With the onset of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, public health advocates warn uncertainty over the future of expanded tax credits for some of the state’s

11/24/2025

Amid dramatic decreases in NH drug deaths, a Q&A with two addiction specialists on what’s working

Drug deaths in New Hampshire fell 33.4% from 2023 to 2024, according to data from the New Hampshire Drug Monitoring Initiative.

11/24/2025

The holidays, for many people, are a season of “great expectations” – and those expectations translate to stress. Whether it is buying the right gifts, worrying about finances, managing excited children, preparing to host gatherings or trying to maintain a balance between end-of-the year work deadlines and increasing personal or social obligations, the holiday season serves up a potent cocktail of high expectations and strained resources.

While the holiday season has many of us feeling stressed as we strive to “do it all”, it is important not to perpetuate the myth that there are more suicides during this time of year.

11/23/2025

Strong as Granite is a platform that's raising awareness of the mental health and substance use support and resources available throughout New Hampshire. It's part of a coordinated effort to bring help, hope and healing to all Granite Staters. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health...

11/21/2025

The spread of vaccine misinformation—especially from federal agencies—creates confusion and puts families at risk. The science is clear: vaccines do not cause autism, and they remain one of our strongest tools to keep Granite Staters healthy.

Measles was eliminated in the US 25 years ago. This year’s nationwide measles outbreak has already sickened more than 1,700 people—mostly young children—and reflects the tragic cost of misinformation.

NHPHA will continue delivering clear, evidence-based information for New Hampshire. If you have questions about vaccines, speak with your healthcare provider or a trained immunization professional. Accurate information saves lives.

11/21/2025

While there is no singular definition of public health, it has broadly been defined as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health,” and “what we do together as a society to ensure the conditions in which everyone can be healthy”. Definitions and objectives for public health have evolved over time, as it is not a static concept (see Box 1). Public health encompasses a wide variety of programs and activities, including controlling the spread of communicable disease, preventing chronic diseases, improving nutrition, improving air and water quality, promoting safer workplaces, reducing automobile accidents, and more.

This Health Policy 101 chapter examines the evolution, governance and delivery of public health in the United States. The chapter includes explanations of key public health frameworks, services, capabilities and characteristics, how the public health system works in state, local and territorial gove...

11/20/2025

In yet another blow to our nation’s public health infrastructure, officials from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have informed the nation’s leading medical associations that they will no longer be involved in developing vaccination recommendations alongside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). ACIP is typically composed of expert physicians and public health professionals who shape national vaccine policy by advising the CDC on recommendations such as vaccine dosages and scheduling. These scientists bring indispensable knowledge in vaccinology and immunization science—expertise that Kennedy’s proposed replacements fundamentally lack.

In yet another blow to our nation’s public health infrastructure, officials from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have informed the nation’s leading medical associations that they will no longer be involved in developing vaccination recommendations alongside the Centers for D...

11/19/2025

Alarm as CDC calls for separate MMR vaccines despite measles outbreak
Concerns that three separate shots would be more costly and time-consuming, and keep kids from being vaccinated

Concerns that three separate shots would be more costly and time-consuming, and keep kids from being vaccinated

11/18/2025

Randy Hayes, Convener of the Kent Street Coalition Health Care Working Group, and Christin H. D’Ovidio, Founder and Principal of Putney Consulting LLC, joined Protect Our Care New Hampshire to discuss what Granite Staters are facing as ACA open enrollment continues under the shadow of the Trump–GOP health care crisis.

Open enrollment runs November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026 on HealthCare.gov, the federally-facilitated marketplace used by New Hampshire consumers. This year’s enrollment season arrives alongside significant marketplace upheaval: the average 2026 gross premium increase in New Hampshire is +17.3%, according to ACA Signups, and enhanced premium tax credits—relied on by the vast majority of enrollees—are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress acts.

https://youtu.be/Np276LFHcfc

Randy Hayes, Convener of the Kent Street Coalition Health Care Working Group, and Christin H. D’Ovidio, Founder and Principal of Putney Consulting LLC, joine...

11/18/2025

Start Early. Seriously, don’t wait until the night before the deadline, when you’re also baking cupcakes for the class party and helping with homework. Give yourself time to compare plans, review benefits, and understand potential costs, including deductibles, copays and coinsurance.

Decode The Language: Health care terms can feel like a foreign language, but resources like JustPlainClear.com may help you translate “deductible” or “coinsurance” into something that actually makes sense. A little clarity now can prevent a lot of stress later.

Avoid Surprise Expenses: Before picking a plan, double-check that your doctor is in-network and your prescriptions are covered. Even if you aren’t switching plans, confirming these details now could help your budget (and your sanity).

Prioritize Mental Health: Between kid schedules, work and life, stress happens. Look for plans that offer in-person and virtual visits, 24/7 support lines, and digital self-care tools for in-the-moment support like Calm Health.

Smarter Ways To Save: A low monthly premium might look attractive, but it’s not the whole story. Factor in deductibles, copays and coinsurance, and see how those costs may add up over the year. Using in-network providers and checking whether your medications are covered can help prevent unexpected expenses. Some plans make it easier to comparison shop, like the Surest health plan from UnitedHealthcare. Surest has no deductibles or coinsurance, only a copay. On average, Surest members paid 54% less out of pocket.

https://www.scarymommy.com/lifestyle/cutting-through-the-noise-a-moms-guide-to-open-enrollment

Feel confident, not confused, when choosing your family’s health plan this season.

11/17/2025

Stacy Cox used one word repeatedly as she described how she felt after learning her ACA premium could jump over 300% without the enhanced tax credits: "devastating."

"I don't know if I've ever cried opening a letter from an insurance or before, but it happened this time," she told ABC News.

Cox's premium this year has been $495.32 for coverage for her and her husband. Without the credit in 2026, she was informed that it's increasing to $2,168.68.

"It's devastating because we can't afford that," she said. "Just that bill right there, that's more than our mortgage, our insurance, most of our food. That's what we're paying per month to live. We can't afford to double what it costs for us to live just to have health insurance."

"This will devastate us if we tried to pay it," she added.

Millions across the country will discover just how much their plans will cost when open enrollment for Affordable Care Act insurance plans begins on Nov. 1.