Stroke Centers
The American Stroke Association says that anytime is the right time to know the signs of a stroke. Responding quickly to the symptoms can save your life. When it comes to knowing where to find emergency treatment for stroke, are all hospitals created equal? No, say many experts. In New Hampshire there are no certified stroke centers. NH Outlook's Phil Vaughn explains what that means for stroke patients.

The American Heart Association says these are the sudden warning signs of a stroke: numbness of the face, arm or leg, confusion or trouble speaking, difficulty seeing, trouble walking or loss of balance and severe headache.

55 Percent Initiative
In 1990, the U.S. Census bureau listed New Hampshire as the 31st oldest state in the nation. Now 18 years later NH ranks number 5. The Census Bureau says the cause for the graying of the state is not a significant increase in the older population but the lack of younger adults ages 24 to 35 living here. The University System of NH has launched a campaign aimed at convincing an additional 5 percent of college students to stay in the state after graduation. It is called the 55% Initiative. Last spring students from the University of New Hampshire, Keene State College and Plymouth State University joined a new marketing effort. They offered the state some suggestions on how to keep college grads from moving out of the Granite State.
University System of New Hampshire

NH Beach Cleanup
New Hampshire only has 18 miles of coastline but in 2006 more than 11,000 pounds of trash was collected on area beaches. The biggest problem: cigarettes. Nearly 52,000 cigarette butts were found on Hampton Beach alone between April 2005 and September 2006. Plastic bottles and cans were the next largest group of trash found.

Since 2006 the UNH Marine Debris Research group has examined trends among the debris found. Jenna Jambeck, a UNH research assistant professor with the department of civil and environmental engineering, helped launch the research group. NH Outlook's Phil Vaughn met up with her at Hampton Beach to talk about efforts under way to clean up the state's coastline.
Marine Debris Research