Connections: March 2024 - 7

Health team provided consultation and
startup funds for Catherine to launch a
6-month Dartmouth Cancer Center Food
Pantry pilot program in February 2022.
The pilot study's 150 patients were given a
week's worth of food every two weeks that
catered to their specific nutritional needs.
The personalized bags were brought to meet
patients at their cars following treatment.
Today, with the assistance of a registered
dietitian and support from the Friends of
Dartmouth Cancer Center, they aim to
expand the program to serve all 2,000
cancer patients in need with greater
quantities and variety of foods available.
Read more about the Food Pantry and watch
a video here.
will be referred to service coordinators who
can assist with housing plans. Some guests
may be able to secure housing by the time
the shelter closes for the season. Read more
about the Emergency Winter Shelter here.
Public health advocacy
The voices of everyday citizens are critical
Dartmouth Cancer Center estimates that
currently 22% of Cancer Center patients
are food insecure, and many patients
face food insecurity due to the financial
strain of cancer treatment, making
nutritious food inaccessible when they
need it most. The food pantry provides
tailored grocery bags to cancer patients,
acknowledging the importance of
nutrition in their treatment.
to shaping the future of our region, including
advocating for policies that advance the
health of all residents. Dartmouth Health's
Project ECHO (Extension for Community
Healthcare Outcomes), a free, virtual
educational series, will examine legislation
and executive action on key current issues,
and educate participants on engaging in
advocacy. Project ECHO begins this month
through May 30 and will include topics such
as Workforce and Economy, Patient Choice
in Healthcare, Public Health Systems, Digital
Health Equity and Workplace Violence.
The series offers the opportunity for
anyone interested in the health and prosperity
of New Hampshire communities to learn
about key current policy proposals that may
impact health determinants, and to advocate
effectively for sound public health policies.
Learn more and register for sessions here.
Legal services for families
Many families cannot afford legal help
mortgages to low-wealth homebuyers, and
lends to developers of affordable multifamily
rentals. The Community Loan Fund has a
strong record of helping manufacturedhome
residents convert to ROCs and take
ownership of their financial futures.
" Access to safe, affordable housing is an
important driver of personal health and
healthy communities, " says Sally Kraft, MD,
MPH, Dartmouth Health Population Health
officer. " Investing in housing solutions
provides health benefits to people and helps
our communities thrive. " To learn more about
the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund,
visit communityloanfund.org.
Food access for cancer
patients
In early 2022, Dartmouth Cancer Center
Continuing Care Manager Catherine M.
Reed, MSW, realized that food insecurity was
a serious issue among her cancer patients.
As part of its efforts to address community
health needs, Dartmouth Health's Population
Our unhoused population faces serious
challenges during the winter months. In
January, the City of Lebanon, NH, opened a
new emergency winter shelter, funded in
part by Dartmouth Health and other local
donors, to offer a haven for up to 15 individuals
in need of accommodation.
Shelter in winter
On January 25, 2024, the City of Lebanon,
NH, opened its new Emergency Winter
Shelter for those in need. With funding
from donors, including a $25,000 gift from
Dartmouth Health, the shelter provides
a haven for up to 15 individuals during
the winter months. This initiative not only
addresses immediate needs but also aligns
with broader city goals, including supporting
unhoused individuals in the ways necessary
to eventually secure and hold housing.
In addition to protecting individuals from
the winter elements, the shelter also provides
volunteers an opportunity to help those in
need to consider their futures and connect to
essential community services. Shelter guests
to address their complex health and social
needs. The Medical-Legal Partnership
Program, administered by Dartmouth
Health and New Hampshire Legal Assistance,
focuses on identifying health disparities in
communities and addressing individuals'
unmet legal needs related to social conditions.
Some examples might be ensuring
emergency access to insurance benefits,
preventing employment and education
discrimination, or securing housing and
preventing unwarranted and illegal evictions.
In January, the program received an additional
2 years of funding from the New Hampshire
Charitable Foundation and the Couch Family
Foundation.
" Families are faced with many hardships,
impacting their health, " says Holly A. Gaspar,
manager of Dartmouth Health's department
of Population Health and medical-legal
partnership program manager. " Rather than
fear of the legal system, patients receiving
this service feel supported, listened to and
successful at navigating the next steps. "
https://lebanonnh.gov/1709/Emergency-Winter-Shelter---160-Mechanic https://getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=fnccc_diy_food_pantry_landing https://iecho.org/public/program/PRGM1699639099139PNU64RSKW4 https://communityloanfund.org/
Connections: March 2024

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