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Thursday, January 2, 2025

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White House has seen no evidence of foreign direction in New Orleans attack; MI's $1B EV push falls short on jobs, as experts urge patience; Report: Only half of phone companies use required anti-robocall technology; Livestock undercover: How good people do bad things to animals.

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Federal officials present more information about the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas cybertruck explosion. Mike Johnson prepares for a House speakership battle, and Congress' latest budget stopgap leaves telehealth regulations relaxed.

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The humble peanut got its '15 minutes of fame' when Jimmy Carter was President, America's rural households are becoming more racially diverse but language barriers still exist, farmers brace for another trade war, and coal miners with black lung get federal help.

NH senior health ranks high, community health workers may improve it

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Monday, June 3, 2024   

A new report ranked New Hampshire as the fourth-healthiest state in the nation for seniors but a lack of home health workers and high-speed internet access is isolating those who live in northern counties.

The state's uninsured rate is down more than 20% since 2019 but seniors still show a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and multiple chronic conditions.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said more seniors are living with depression and would benefit from access to telehealth services.

"This is significant, because it helps us connect with our family and our friends," Randall emphasized. "It helps us connect with our health care providers, whenever we need to see a doctor or access care remotely."

Randall pointed out while the number of geriatric health care professionals has increased nationwide, too many families still rely on family members for help. More than 15% of Americans provide unpaid care for an older adult.

It's estimated one-third of Granite Staters will be 65 or older by 2030 and will require long-term services. As the state faces a critical shortage of home clinicians, some say community health workers could help fill the gap, ensuring those on fixed incomes in more remote areas have food, heat, safe housing and transportation to maintain their health.

Annette Carbonneau, director of community health worker programs for the North Country Health Consortium, said community health workers reduce emergency room visits, easing the burden on an already strained system.

"They go to people's homes," Carbonneau noted. "And meet with individuals, help find the resources, help that individual navigate the resources and confirm that they've been navigated, in order to increase their access to care."

Carbonneau added community health workers fit well with the independent nature of many New Hampshire seniors and the state has, so far, done well in their recruitment. State lawmakers are now considering creating a certification program for such workers, allowing them to bill the state Medicaid office for reimbursement.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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