“Serve Local” with Upper Valley Strong

Dan-xxx-Faye-Kinley-Nan copy After Tropical Storm Irene, temporary Long-Term Recovery Committees popped up all across the state to help coordinate support for flood victims, and Upper Valley Strong (UVS) was one. When a localized flood hit the Upper Valley again in 2013, UVS immediately jumped in to coordinate relief efforts and support volunteers and homeowners. UVS aligned with Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) as well as the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission (UVLSRPC) to obtain disaster-related information and create a cohesive approach to response and recovery. Staff and committee members already had the relationships and local knowledge to quickly gather resources – from shovels and wheelbarrows to dig out, to new appliances for residents, and volunteers to assist. The disaster relief and recovery processes were efficient and fast, largely because UVS was already in place.

It was clear to UVS that the region needed a permanent group in place to maintain relationships, coordinate resources, and hit the ground running when a disaster happened. And so, UVS became Vermont’s first Community Organization Active in Disaster (COAD). COADs are growing in popularity across the Unites States. These voluntary groups consist of nonprofits, corporations, faith-based groups, and other organizations that can play a role in disaster recovery. COADs help coordinate local resources, oversee individual recovery, and support volunteers. They also coordinate efforts with other local, state, and federal organizations during an emergency.

UVS is unique in its alignment with the Regional Planning Commisions of both the New Hampshire and Vermont regions within the Upper Valley. Though these relationships present challenges in terms of establishing consistent funding between disasters and coordinating local operations during an emergency, UVS believes that partnering with our region’s RPCs makes disaster response more sustainable and effective. Perhaps most importantly, COADs offer disaster case management, which is required for people to receive money from organizations like the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund. “The value contributed to the community by COADs such as Upper Valley Strong during disaster recovery cannot be overstated” says Wesley Miller, the Upper Valley’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.

In many ways, their name speaks for itselfDan – Upper Valley Strong is an organization that capitalizes on the inherent strengths of our communities to help people recover following a disaster. They not only support local agencies like the Upper Valley Haven, COVER, SEVCA and the Upper Valley Housing Coalition, but also train and mobilize a strong contingent of dedicated volunteers. According to Miller, “without the dedication and spirit of community shown by these volunteers, the crushing effects of disaster events would weigh on community members for a significantly longer period of time.  Upper Valley Strong has a long history and demonstrated capacity to support our local communities during these most challenging  times.”

UVS trainings provide volunteers with information about how to conduct themselves safely and effectively on disaster sites. These programs are available to corporations, groups, and anyone interested in learning more about helping their neighbors in times of disaster. As one UVS volunteer from Hypertherm, Pete Twarog, spoke about in a recent interview, we all see far off disasters on the news every day, but it is difficult to have a direct impact even when we feel drawn to help. What UVS works to instill is a “serve local” mentality. “Help out your neighbor. Your neighbor may be the next person who needs you, so be ready,” Twarog says. To learn more about how you can be ready to lend a hand when your community needs you, contact Upper Valley Strong, and check out their training promotion video.

 

Major Updates to NHHealthCost.org Website

TheNHHealthCost New Hampshire Insurance Department recently announced major consumer-oriented updates to its nationally recognized health cost transparency website, NHHealthCost.org. NH residents can use the website to search and compare the cost estimates of medical and dental procedures and retail prescription drug costs. Medical care can be costly, and most people may not know what they will need to pay until they receive a bill in the mail. Services can also vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the facility and insurance company. NH HealthCost is a helpful resource for people who want to make more informed decisions about how to manage their health care dollars.

NH HealthCost includes:

  • 67 medical procedure cost estimates, including X-rays, physical therapy, lab tests, and more.
  • 16 dental procedure cost estimates, including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and more.
  • 65 retail prescription costs for generic and brand name drugs
  • Searchable quality measures for NH hospitals, including patient experience, infection prevention, and more.
  • Guide to Health Insurance, to answer your questions about finding a plan, using insurance, and managing your costs.

A major new component of the updated website is quality of care data. This new section of the website offers a convenient way to view nationally available quality data on local health care facilities, such as infection rates, patient experience, and readmissions. Knowing more about the cost and quality of care means that patients can have a better understanding of the medical services they can expect to receive before their appointment.

For those who are new to health insurance or want to learn more, the website now includes a “Guide to Health Insurance.” The guide features commonly asked questions about getting health insurance, navigating the insurance system, and how to manage costs. The guide is also interactive. Users can submit their own questions and give feedback.

NH HealthCost, which was created by the NH Insurance Department in 2007, uses actual anonymous paid health insurance claims data, collected from the state’s insurers, to show cost estimates for health care procedures at facilities across the state. The website allows people to see the total costs of their procedures, including physician fees, lab fees, and facility fees, based on their insurance company, deductible, and co-insurance. Uninsured NH residents can also see how much they will need to pay out-of-pocket for medical costs.

New Hampshire is considered a national leader in health care transparency. In 2015, it was the only state in the country to earn an A on a national report card on access to health care prices, issued by the Catalyst for Payment Reform and Health Care Incentives Institute. The report card cited NH HealthCost as “a prime example of a price transparency website built with consumers in mind.”

The New Hampshire Insurance Department’s mission is to promote and protect the public good by ensuring the existence of a safe and competitive insurance marketplace through the development and enforcement of the insurance laws of the State of New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.nh.gov/insurance.

Representatives of NH Health Cost will provide an overview of the website at the PHC meeting on June 17, 2016. That meeting will be held from 9 to 11 am at Hypertherm, 71 Heater Road.

Report on Climate and Health Forum

cloverFollowing up on the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup’s recent Climate Change Impacts to Health Forum, the Valley News reported on the productive discussion and information sharing that took place during the evening.

Though the event began with education around how the climate is changing in our region, presenter Erich Osterberg, a climatologist at Dartmouth College, encouraged attendees not to get lost in the statistics. He emphasized that seemingly small temperature and precipitation changes can have lasting impacts on the environment and on the health of those living in the Upper Valley. The forum, as Rich Jurgens of the Valley News reported, was convened “not to debate the reality of climate change, but to prepare for it.”

Presentations following the climate overview by Osterberg included reports from Matt Cahillane of the Climate and Health Program in New Hampshire and Jared Ulmer of the Vermont Climate Change Adaptation Program, which outlined current efforts to build resilience to climate effects in the two states. Public Health Council Coordinator Alice Ely also presented the PHimage1C’s Climate and Health Adaptation Plan, and introduced a pilot project that will be run over the summer to begin to address the needs of older adults during extreme heat events. Older adults, who are especially vulnerable to heat related health issues, are a rapidly growing sector of the Upper Valley’s population. Ely says that the PHC hopes the pilot project will help establish strategies that will work for our region to inform future initiatives, and that it will begin to address a current need area at the same time.

The forum was attended by municipal leaders, emergency preparedness personnel, public health and medical professionals, social service providers and passionate community members. With several opportunities for audience members to give feedback and engage in discussion with presenters and each other, the forum was a tangible first step in building the community based networks that will be necessary to address  climate change impacts in the Upper Valley.

Upper Valley Trails – Inside and Out

trail1It’s beginning to feel a lot like spring time here in the Upper Valley! Though we’ve experienced fewer sub freezing days then last winter, the warmer temperatures and the first scents and sights of spring always feel like a refreshing beginning. But while the Upper Valley usually provides plenty of opportunities for winter recreation and May flowers will be popping up before we know it, this dreaded in between period – Mud Season – can often be a tricky time to enjoy the outdoors and get exercise.

Regardless of whether the ground outside is white, green or brown, it’s important for people of all ages to spend part of their day being physically active. Studies have shown that regular, moderate intensity exercise can maintain healthy weight, strengthen bones, reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, improve mental health, and ultimately prolong life. The CDC recommends that adults get in 2 hours and 30 minutes per week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, and that they do an activity that works all the major muscle groups at least 2 times per week. The numbers may sound daunting, and with the busy lives we lead, it is no wonder that 4 out of 5 adults are not getting the recommended amount of physical activity.

Fortunately, in our region, there are lots of ways to get moving, even without a gym membership or fancy equipment. Our own neighborhoods are the perfect place to get fresh air and physical fitness, and the Upper Valley Trails Alliance can help you find a path to wellness that is right for you. Founded in 1999 after a multi-community needs assessment, UVTA “advocates for the use, maintenance, and development of trails in the Upper Valley through education, outreach and stewardship.” Put simply, the Upper Valley Trails Alliance wraps environmental preservation and appreciation into one bundle – helping you take advantage of our area’s natural resources to lead a healthy life style. UVTA compiles wonderful trail information for everyone, from experts to those who are just getting started. Their indoor walking paths are perfect for the days when sun sets before you can leave the office, or for times when its too chilly, icy or unpredictTrail Finder logo with round borderable to brave the outdoors. As the days get longer and the weather continues to warm, check out the Trail Finder. This comprehensive database of trails lets you search for routes by location, difficulty level, and activity. In fact, the trail finder is for far more than just walking. It can help you find fire tower hikes for you and the family, bike paths, and paddling routes – in the Upper Valley and beyond!

When you’re thinking about exercising outdoors this time of year, and when you are using trails in general, it’s always important to consider safety first. Make sure to tell someone where you are going if you are checking out a new trail. Bring warm layers and a headlamp – sometimes a route can take longer than you expect, and its important to be sure you can make it back safely. Check in with the Trail Manager, whose contact information can be found on the Trail Finder listing, to get up to date information about trail conditions. For avid and experienced trail users, the Upper Valley Trail Runners maintain an active Facebook page, with up to date trail conditions and advice about the types of shoes or equipment that are best for the current terrain. Don’t be intimidated by their enthusiasm for running long miles though – trails are for everyone, and with routes ranging from 0.2 (Pine Point Trail) to nearly 300 miles (the Appalachian Trail) the Trail Finder can certainly help you discover a path that’s right for you.

To learn more about the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, and their efforts to preserve and promote the use of our areas land resources, visit their website at http://www.uvtrails.org. As of March 7th, several outdoor trails in the Lebanon and Norwich are closed until the end of mud season to allow them to dry out, but check in with the Trail Managers for updates – and maybe give some of those indoor routes a try in the meantime!

Addressing the Health Impacts of a Changing Climate

540560303_e549e246dd_oFor many in Northern New England, the facts of climate change become reality during these winter months. We notice our ski areas opening later, winter tourism decreasing, and the sap running sooner. There’s grey-green grass outside our windows where we’d hope to see sparkling white this time of the year. While this unseasonably warm winter is just a single point of data in the upward trend of global temperature, it serves as a sobering prelude for what we can expect in the future. With the levels of greenhouse gases currently in our atmosphere, we’ve already bought decades worth of climate change.

The argument that our climate is not changing has become rare one, with over 200 nations committing to action and 99.9% of climate scientists agreeing that warming trends are caused by human activity. Here in the Upper Valley, we already have good data to show that temperatures, precipitation and storm events are all increasing, and that revenues from winter industries have fallen. At this point, the question is no longer if the climate is changing, but what to do about it.

There are two main approaches to addressing climate change – mitigation and adaptation – and we believe that successful efforts to better our future must incorporate both strategies. Simply stated, climate change mitigation includes actions that slow the rate of climate change. Because we know that greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, in our atmosphere are primary causes of global warming, solutions that reduce emissions are mitigation strategies. These tactics include improving our energy efficiency, insulating our homes and commercial buildings, buying fuel efficient vehicles and carpooling as well as leveraging clean and renewable forms of energy like wind, solar, and hydro power. Climate change adaptation strategies focus on coping with the impacts that we are already experiencing, and those that are projected to increase in the future. These efforts include everything from emergency preparedness plans for increases in extreme heat, precipitation and storm events, to changes in the ways we construct homes, businesses and roads. Adaptation also means diversifying the tourism industry to rely less on snow and cold, changing agricultural practices to reflect shifts in the growing season, and preparing our health systems for increases in heat related and vector borne diseases.

The health impacts of climate changUVClimate-Health-Adaptation-Plan-Nov-2015e are no small piece of the puzzle – and the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley is dedicated to finding ways to adapt to these effects and mitigate future ones. “We recently completed a preliminary assessment and plan to look at how climate change may affect health in the Upper Valley, with the help of the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission and our UVAW partners. Though our area has seen worrisome changes on several climate related public health related indicators, such as an increase in the incidence of Lyme disease and a longer allergy season, we are most concerned about the rising number of hot days,” says Alice Ely, PHC Coordinator. Extreme heat events are calculated using three metrics: number of days over 90°F, number of days over 95°F, and average temperature on the hottest day of the year. Already we have begun to see increases in these numbers from the historical data (1980-2009), and by the middle of this century, northern New Hampshire is expected to experience a 2 to 4 fold increase in the number days over 90°F, a 3 to 7 fold increase in days over 95°F, and a 4 to 10 fold increase in the average temperature on the hottest day of the year.

It may seem strange to be worrying about extreme heat in our area – after all, we’re known for our snow and ice storms, not for sweltering summers. But one of the reasons the projected rise in the number of hot days is so alarming is that, by and large, New Englanders are not prepared to deal with extreme heat events or stretches of hot weather. Few homes have air conditioning units, and they are especially rare in lower income communities. While social services can draw on many resources to provide fuel and heating solutions in winter months, we have far fewer strategies for addressing cooling needs. As with winter storms, extremely hot days and stretches of heat are especially hazardous for vulnerable populations such as older adults, the disabled, people with existing health conditions, and low income groups.

In response to the concerns about the health related consequences of climate change in our area, the Public Health Council of the Upper Valley is partnering with the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup (UVAW) to host a community forum on this topic. At this Climate Change Impacts to Health event, we will be sharing information about how the climate is changing in the Upper Valley, what Vermont and New Hampshire are doing to adapt to changes in our climate, and how community leaders can work together to reduce the health impacts from a changing climate The PHC and UVAW will be introducing an upcoming project to address the impacts of extreme heat on older adult populations, and will be looking for feedback and partnerships for this work. The Public Health Council and our partners in the Upper Valley Adaptation Workgroup are looking forward to seeing you at this important discussion. Alex Jaccaci, Co-Chair of UVAW believes that “it will require leadership, creativity, problem solving, teamwork and drawing from our commitment to our communities and neighbors to get ahead of these challenges. But this is what we will do – turn these challenges into opportunities to be stronger and more resilient as communities and as a region.” We couldn’t agree more.

To RSVP for the Climate Change Impacts to Health Forum, visit: http://tinyurl.com/UV-CLIMATE-HEALTH, and learn more about the development of an Upper Valley climate and health plan at https://uvpublichealth.org/climate-and-health/.