In New Hampshire (NH), one-in-four adults ages 65 and up have a mobility and/or cognitive disability. This and other findings are highlighted in the 2018 NH Disability & Public Health Report.
Released by the NH Disability & Public Health Project (DPH), this year’s concise report provides information on factors that underlie health inequities experienced by individuals with mobility and cognitive limitations in NH. It also suggests strategies that public health programs can use to be inclusive, visible, and accessible to people with disabilities.
“The new report focuses on key indicators, like social determinants of health and the intersection of disability with race and ethnicity,” said Kimberly Phillips, project Principal Investigator and co-author of the report. “We wanted this year's report to explore areas that really affect peoples' ability to live healthy lives.”
The following actions are recommended to improve public health for NH adults with disabilities:
- Promote programs through organizations and locations known to reach disability communities.
- Partner with disability organizations to actively recruit and include people with disabilities.
- Develop health promotion materials that use plain language and easy-to-understand images.
- Invest in systems that can improve the social determinants of health for all NH residents.
- Consider the intersection of disability and other health equity populations.
Learn more about the work DPH is engaged in to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities and how you can get involved: http://nhdisabilityhealth.org.
The NH Disability & Public Health Project (DPH), funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement number 1NU27DD000007, is a collaboration between the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire and the NH Division of Public Health Services (DPHS). The project goal is to improve the health and quality of life of people with disabilities in NH by developing and strengthening the capacity of the state’s public health programs and initiatives to be accessible to and include people with intellectual disabilities and mobility limitations. The contents of this report are the responsibility of DPH staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the CDC or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to promote full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons by strengthening communities and advancing policy and systems change, promising practices, education, and research.
