Health and Wellness Needs Assessments of New Hampshire Adults with Disabilities

Adults with disabilities in New Hampshire (NH) are more likely to experience poor mental health than adults without disabilities. This needs assessment uses statewide data and survey input from NH adults with disabilities to examine mental health experiences and access to care. It highlights what supports mental health and what creates barriers to accessing care.

People with disabilities are at an increased risk of food insecurity. Financial challenges are the primary barrier to having enough food. Transportation, accessibility, and disability public policies create additional barriers for New Hampshire (NH) residents with disabilities. This needs assessment describes the NH disability population through U.S. Census Bureau statistics and includes quotes from conversations with NH residents who have a disability to describe barriers to accessing enough food.

These needs assessments look at a variety of health indicators of adults with disabilities in New Hampshire (NH) including:

• Disability Demographics
• Social Determinants of Health
• Access to Healthcare
• Health Behaviors
• Health Outcomes

Findings from these assessments will be used to inform the strategies of the NH Disability and Health Program (DHP) to fill gaps and address barriers to preventive health care, health promotion opportunities, and engagement in healthy behaviors.