Public Health drives economic and community strength - it creates a productive workforce, lowers healthcare costs, and contributes to overall well-being. Data indicates that challenges in New Hampshire affecting equitable access to good health include an aging population, disproportionate suicide rates, and increasing youth mental health concerns. Additionally, lower income families and communities are facing insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, and access to nutritious foods. There is a need to provide education and resources to empower individuals to make healthy choices and there is also a need to couple this education with 'upstream' systems-level changes that can make the places where NH residents live and work healthier places to be.
In 2024, UNH Extension Health & Well-Being staff with 16 Master Wellness Volunteers worked with over 200 community partnerships to implement programs focused on increasing both physical and mental health. Programs and interventions educated individuals on healthier behaviors, trained volunteers and professionals to better support their communities and worked with organizations to improve healthy food access. Over 380 on-line and in-person in-depth educational programs across all ten NH counties reached over 8,500 participants.
- Our healthy-living focused social media ads and posts reached 223,079 people.
- Our research-based educational resources, provided on-line and by practitioners we have trained, reached approximately 43,282. Additionally, 11,660 people from NH and beyond completed Extension’s on-line personal Wellness Wheel Assessment.
- Technical assistance was provided to 77 different sites supported 224 systems-level changes which reached approximately 13,160 individuals.
Improving Diet Quality & Physical Activity: The daily consumption of fruits and vegetables by adults in Extension SNAP-Ed programs (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) increased by 16% and 20% respectively and the number of days they were active per week increased by 25%. These behaviors can significantly reduce the chances of serious chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity which can make a person’s healthcare as much as 2.6 times higher.
94% of Adult Participants in Extension’s Expanded Federal Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) programs reported an increase in diet quality and 84% of youth participants (grades 3rd through 12th) increases choosing foods consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Because these healthy behaviors reduce health issues later in life, it has been estimated that for every $1 spend to implement programs such as EFNEP, up to $10.64 is saved in health care costs.
Chronic Pain Management: Chronic Pain Self-Management Program participants report feeling more confident in managing health conditions, taking an active role in their health, and maintaining lifestyle changes. They report that their pain interfered less with their occupation, self-care, and social activities. Studies show that the program reduces emergency room visits and their related costs.
Supporting an Aging Population: To address the needs of the state’s aging population, Extension offered programs in person, on-line and through new “watch parties” where groups attend on-line trainings together with the help of a facilitator. Walk with EaseSM participants reported increasing their physical activity from 2 1/2 days a week to over 4 days per week and 86% of Boost Your Brain (BYB) participants reported that they adopted new brain healthy behaviors. 79% of BYB participants also reported that they felt an increased connectedness through social engagement and a sense of belonging (59% of participants live alone.)
Addressing a Mental Health Crisis: While NH excels in numerous national health indicators, it lags in some serious mental health issues such as suicide and substance misuse. Extension certified 16 new instructors in Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid who joined existing educators and staff, to train over 1,200 people how to identify mental health issues before they turn into crises. 98% report being knowledgeable about recognizing signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge and 94% report being better able to have a supportive conversation with someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
All Terrain Learning Adventures (ATLAS), a partnership between Extension and The Southeast Land Trust reached 800 youth and trained over 90 local educators. Programs focused on social and emotional learning that aligned with New Hampshire’s College and Career Ready Standards. Lessons helped students hone skills in communication, creativity, collaboration and emotional regulation. 96% of students felt ATLAS was a safe space, 80% felt a sense of belonging, 77% recognized nature’s positive impact on mental health, and 88% experienced ATLAS as a place for them to showcase strengths not typically visible in school.
For more information or questions please reach out to our Health & Well-Being Team.
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The University of New Hampshire Extension is an equal opportunity educator and employer. UNH, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and New Hampshire counties cooperating. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The preparation of this document was financed under a contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services. This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP and USDA’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program –EFNEP.
