b'4.5 Unemployment RateIncrease the availability of fair-wage, local employment opportunitiesAverage Annual Unemployment RateWhy is this important? Job insecurity and unemployment are known health10 %stressors, related to negative effects on mental health and self-reported physicalhealth as well as to increased risk for heart disease and premature death. Not only 8Percent of Labor Forceindividuals but families and communities also experience the negative healtheffects of unemployment or insecure job situations.In our society where access 63 6to health insurance is so thoroughly tied to full-time employment, the threat ofunemployment, underemployment, or job insecurity places many families at risk fornot getting adequate care or going into difficult debt for their health care needs. 4Where we stand now :For more than a decade, Cheshire County has experienced2consistently lower unemployment rates compared to all of New Hampshire andthe nation. 02000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Cheshire Countys goal:The unemployment rate will be lower than 5%.64 Cheshire CountyNew HampshireUnited StatesTargetEngaging Our Community In Health4188222_CMC2.indd 43 2/1/10 12:27 PM'