Durham, NH – The UNH Institute on Disability has been awarded a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue the NH Disability and Health Program (DHP) for five more years. DHP is 1 of 10 states using evidence-based strategies to improve the health and quality of life of adults with intellectual, developmental or mobility disabilities.
6 in 10 NH adults with mobility disabilities and 3 in 10 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) report their health as fair or poor. This is partly because it is difficult to access health care and health promotion programs do not always include people with disabilities. DHP will address these problems by training healthcare providers, promoting policy, system, and environmental changes, and linking adults with disabilities to accessible health care and health promotion programs in their communities.
“We have seen how the health of individuals with disabilities can improve through increased access and inclusive health programming,” says Dr. Kimberly Phillips, Research Assistant Professor and DHP Program Director. “I’m really pleased to bring these funds back to New Hampshire and to be 1 of only 10 states selected for funding. We are working together to make a real impact on the opportunities people have to participate in their own health and wellness.”
Since 2012, DHP has worked with partners around the Granite State to make sure people with disabilities are included in public health programs and initiatives. For more information about DHP, visit https://nhdisabilityhealth.org.
