Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Pillar Co-Chairs

Jose Montero and Yvonne Goldsberry

About the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (HPDP) Pillar

Over the decade long initiative, the work of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Project will focus on decreasing the leading causes of illness and death among New Hampshire citizens. We will do this through collaboration, evidence-based information, and sound policy recommendations to strengthen the public health system and will work towards increased health and well-being of all New Hampshire citizens.

During the first two years of the Initiative, the HPDP project developed the document A Pound of Prevention. This document identified the actual causes of illness and death for NH residents. We dug deeper into the top three causes in year three by joining with leading NH organizations in the fields of tobacco, alcohol, and physical activity and nutrition.  Partnering with Breathe NH, New Futures, and the HNHfoundation we explored evidenced based interventions for these key issues in our state. Information regarding the work done on unhealthy alcohol use and physical activity and nutrition are available under previous projects. The HPDP Pillar Project will continue to work with tobacco stakeholders to secure sustainable funding for the state program by providing data and documentation on the benefit of prevention resources. Please visit Partners for Tobacco Control Sustainability page for more information.

Throughout 2009, the HPDP project gathered information on projects and programs taking place around the state directed at the integration and coordination of population/public health efforts with personal/medical care activity.  Through this effort, the HPDPPG sought to 1) gain an understanding of the breadth, depth, and range of integration activity occurring across the state, and 2) identify a way that the Citizens Health Initiative could move this pillar activity from study and review to support for specific actions and programs. The information shared and discussions held are summarized the document 12.17.09summaryreport.

In 2010 the HPDPPG will continue working toward its mission by:

• Developing a state plan/strategy for fostering increased integration activity in NH
• Identifying and facilitating the connection between groups engaged in similar integration efforts.

Based upon recommendations derived from these two activities, the HPDP will select and begin implementation of strategies to link the work of NH’s public and personal care systems in NH.

For more information on the HPDP Team contact Laura Davie at Laura.davie@unh.edu.