New Year, Same Vision: New Futures Advocates for a Brighter, Healthier New Hampshire
As we step into the new year, New Futures reaffirms its committment to improving the health and well-being of all Granite Staters through public policy change and civic empowerment. While the political landscape may shift post-election, one thing remains the same: the need for evidence-based policy, steady advocacy, and community partnership. New Futures will continue to work alongside policymakers to champion public policies that allow all New Hampshire residents equitable opportunities to live, work, and thrive.
In the coming year, New Futures maintains its focus on a range of issues affecting the health and well-being of New Hampshire residents. From early childhood development to healthy aging, the organization’s priorities address critical health issues across the lifespan. By promoting policies that support the health of Granite Staters from the very start of life through older adulthood, New Futures is working to create a state where individuals and families have the resources they need to start healthy and stay healthy.
Learn more about New Futures' policy priority areas below.
JUMP TO: Early Childhood | Children's Behavioral Health | Health Care Access | Healthy Aging | Public Health | Substance Use Disorder | Regulation of Addictive Products
Early Childhood: Building a Strong Foundation for a Healthier Future
Building strong children and families is how we build a strong foundation for New Hampshire’s future. Research consistently shows that children's brains are developing from the bottom up, making the early years especially critical. When state policy supports young children, we are building a strong foundation for their brains to develop and them to live healthy and happy lives. New Futures' early childhood work focuses on improving access to quality child care, strengthening families, and reducing adverse childhood experiences.
Early childhood issues we're working on:
- Quality, Affordable Child Care
- Early Education/Pre-K
- Home Visiting
- Family Resource Centers of Quality
Children's Behavioral Health: Addressing Growing Mental Health Needs
The future prosperity of New Hampshire depends on our ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. The social and emotional health of children in our state is fundamental to their overall health. New Futures works to support and strengthen a comprehensive and integrated System of Care for children and youth who experience behavioral health challenges in New Hampshire. The system of care is youth and family-driven, community-based, culturally and linguistically competent, and trauma-informed.
CBH issues we're working on:
- Child Welfare and Family Strengthening
- Children's System of Care
- Crisis Services
- Infancy and Early Childhood
- LGBTQ+ Youth
- School-Based Supports
Health Care Access: Ensuring Quality, Affordable Care
Keeping New Hampshire residents healthy must be a priority to keep our state strong. Granite Staters deserve quality, affordable health care, access to effective, evidence-based health programs, a health insurance market that focuses on consumer health, and an overall health system that has the main goal of keeping New Hampshire residents healthy.
Health care access issues we're working on:
- Workforce Recruitment and Retention
- Access to Affordable Health Care
- Affordable Prescription Drugs
Healthy Aging: Supporting Older Adults
As New Hampshire's population continues to age, it’s critical that the state has policies in place to support healthy aging for its older residents. New Hampshire is the second oldest state in the nation and thanks to advancements in medicine and public health, as well as healthier lifestyle choices, nearly half of children born today can expect to live to 100. New Futures advocates for policies that ensure all Granite Staters have access to the services they need and the ability to choose where and how they age.
Healthy aging issues we're working on:
- Age-Friendly Communities
- System of Care for Healthy Aging
- Support for Caregivers
Public Health: Building Healthier Communities
Protecting New Hampshire’s public health system is critical to ensuring Granite Staters have every opportunity to start healthy and stay healthy. The role of public health is to prevent, promote, and protect populations. While health care treats a person who is already sick, public health aims to prevent that person from getting sick or injured in the first place. New Futures supports policies that prevent diseases, protect Granite Staters, and increase public awareness and education.
Public health issues we're working on:
- Vaccines
- Lead Exposure
- Supporting Public Health Networks
- Maternal Health
Substance Use Disorder: Supporting Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery
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Granite Staters know that what affects one part of New Hampshire affects us all. As a state, we function best when all members of our communities work together to solve our health and social problems, like substance misuse. Policies that support evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery programs are crucial to ensure that every New Hampshire resident is a healthy member of our society.
Substance use issues we're working on:
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Harm Reduction
- Recovery
Regulation of Addictive Products: Preventing Substance Misuse
The greatest mortality from addictive substances in the United States is from legal substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Commercializing addictive products increases the number of people who get exposed and the negative consequences of their use. Public health and prevention-based state regulations play a critical role in preventing substance misuse and increasing access to these products. New Futures supports regulatory policies and strategies for legal addictive substances that restrict access and prevent misuse.
Addictive product regulation we're working on:
- Alcohol Regulation
- Tobacco Regulation
- Cannabis Regulation
- Monitoring Revenues
Through policy change, New Futures is working to solve New Hampshire's most pressing health problems. But our work doesn't stop there – you can be a part of the solution, too! As a Granite Stater, you have the power to influence policy-making decisions in New Hampshire. You can share your story, become a New Futures advocate, sign up to receive email updates on issues you care about, and more. Together, we can create a healthier, more equitable future for all New Hampshire residents.
