Like other states around the country, New Hampshire is grappling with a chronic health conditions epidemic. In the Granite State, approximately 55,000 children contend with a chronic health condition. Broken down, the numbers are sobering:
- Over 12 percent of N.H. children will suffer from asthma during their lifetimes.
- Thirteen percent of children between grades 9 and 12 are overweight, while another 11 percent are obese. Both groups are at risk for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
- Approximately 75 children between infancy and age 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Mission
The Council for Youths with Chronic Conditions (CYCC) was established to:
- Promote timely, individualized needs assessments of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and their families in language easily translated into actions.
- Provide advocacy and promote family involvement at all levels of health care planning, policy making, advisory, and monitoring capacities.
- Advocate and collaborate with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the New Hampshire Insurance Department, as well as other public and private agencies and organizations that serve children and adolescents, in enhancing community-based family supports that meet the unique needs of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and their families.
- Increase awareness and visibility in the public and private sector of the medical, educational, social, psychological, and financial issues that impact children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and their families.
- Facilitate family/physician collaboration at all levels of support and service delivery systems.
- Empower families with children with chronic health conditions through educational opportunities and the dissemination of information that is understandable, accessible, complete, and presented in a manner that is compassionate and caring.
Executive Council
TBD in January elections, Chair
Karen Livernois, Vice Chair
Tim Guidish, Treasurer
Kristin Bonny, Secretary
Family Members
Annmarie Van De Water, Family Member
Deodonne P. Bhattarai, Family Member Regan Lamphier, Family Member NH State Advisors/Representatives/Appointed positions Leah Stagnone, Member Karen Livernois, Parent appointed by Governor Sununu Dee Dunn, Department of Health and Human Services, Special Medical Services NH Senate, TBD Betty Gay, NH Representative Josh Hillyard, Department of Insurance Laurie Fleming, NH School Nurse Association Dr. Harohalli Shashidhar, Community member Sylvia Pelletier, NHFV Department of Education, TBD Audrey Gerkin, Council Administrator