Speak Up Now New Hampshire
August 23, 2012
Manchester, NH
Collaborative public service campaign launched to impact the health of the community
What happens when three of the largest health care providers come together to take a stand on issues that harm our family, friends, neighbors and children?A powerful set of messages that raise awareness, provide education, and inspire a community to take action to improve health and well-being.
Catholic Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Elliot Health System are pleased to announce Speak Up Now New Hampshire a public service campaign designed to impact behavior and make positive changes in the lives of the community members we serve.
In early spring, leaders from Catholic Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Elliot Health System came together with a goal of measurably impacting the health of the communities they serve. "We asked ourselves, what do we see that is harming our communities? How can we work together to improve the health of the people we serve? One immediate answer was in addressing problems of common concern that presented threats to our communities," said Dr. James N. Weinstein, CEO and President of Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
The result of these conversations is a year-long campaign encouraging Granite Staters to Speak Up Now on two important societal issues: prescription drug abuse and child abuse.In partnership with the Union Leader, WGIR AM610, Rock 101, 95.7FM WZID, NHPR, advocacy groups and government agencies, "the hope is to provide the community with valuable information to become more aware and prevent abuse from happening or seek the help that is needed," said Dr. Joe Pepe, Interim President and CEO of Catholic Medical Center.
"This effort shows that while a single organization can make a difference, several organizations coming together to take a stand on issues that negatively impact our communities can start a movement. I couldn't be more excited that our three organizations are partnering in this way," said Doug Dean, President & CEO of the Elliot Health System.
For the first six months, the campaign will focus on Prescription Drug Abuse.
Why?
- Abuse of prescription drugs in New Hampshire has doubled in the past 10 years.
- New Hampshire has the second highest rate nationally of young adults abusing pain medication in the past year.
- 1 in 5 teens in New Hampshire abuse prescription drugs.
Our goals:
- Help people make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing by using and storing prescription drugs appropriately.
- Help parents be aware of the harmful effects prescription drug abuse can have on kids and teens and how to spot the signs of abuse.
- Help people safely dispose of unused prescription drugs on Take Back Day on September 29th.
The second half of the campaign will focus on Child Abuse.
Why?
It's our obligation to do everything we can to protect the health and well-being of children, period.
Our goals:
- Help parents, teachers and caregivers spot the signs of abuse and take action to stop it.
- Raise awareness and provide parents and caregivers the necessary tools to avoid the poor decision making which results in hurting vulnerable children.
The campaign will be disseminated via print advertising, radio spots, posters, the web, events and other media opportunities.For more information and to review the full campaign, visit SpeakUpNowNH.org.
About Catholic Medical Center
Serving the community for more than 100 years, Catholic Medical Center is a 330-bed full-service health care facility dedicated to providing health, healing and hope to all. Catholic Medical Center offers full medical-surgical care with more than 25 subspecialties. Catholic Medical Center is also home to The Mom's Place, The New England Sleep Center, Obesity Treatment Center and the nationally recognized New England Heart Institute. More information is available at www.catholicmedicalcenter.org
About Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Dartmouth-Hitchcock is a national leader in patient-centered health care and building a sustainable health system. Founded in 1893, the system includes New Hampshire's only Level 1 trauma center and its only air ambulance service, as well as the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, one of only 40 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the nation, and the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, the state's only Children's Hospital Association-approved, comprehensive, full-service children's hospital. As an academic health system, Dartmouth-Hitchcock provides access to nearly 1,000 primary care doctors and specialists in almost every area of medicine, as well as world-class research at the Audrey and Theodor Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Visit Dartmouth-Hitchcock.org.
About Elliot Health System
Elliot Health System is a non-profit organization serving your health care needs since 1890. The largest provider of comprehensive health care services in Southern New Hampshire, Elliot Hospital, a 296-bed acute care facility and the first community hospital in the state, serves as the cornerstone of the health system. Elliot is home to Manchester's designated Regional Trauma Center, Elliot Breast Health Center, Elliot Urgent Care, a Level 3 Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Elliot Physician Network, Elliot Regional Cancer Center, the Elliot Senior Health Center, Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, Elliot 1-Day Surgery Center, Elliot at River's Edge and New Hampshire's Hospital for Children For more information on any of Elliot's services, call Elliot Direct at 663-1111 or visit www.elliothospital.org
