October 29, 2024
Community Health Corner
Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies and health literacy programs to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The following resources help us improve well-being for all, and achieve Healthy Kansas 2030 and Healthy People 2030 objectives.
Physical Activity Grade for Children And Youth: The Physical Activity Alliance recently released the 2024 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The overall physical activity grade for children and youth remained low at 'D-', the same grade it received in 2022, the last time a report was made. Findings from the 2024 Report Card, the fifth iteration in the series that started in 2014, highlight the need for programs and policies to combat the rise in societal factors that interfere with children’s physical activity and healthy development.
The Importance of Handwashing: Handwashing with soap and clean water is essential to prevent the spread of many diseases. The CDC emphasizes washing hands thoroughly to reduce germs that can cause conditions like diarrhea and respiratory infections. Germs from feces can transfer through everyday activities, such as using the restroom or handling raw meat, and are easily spread if hands aren't cleaned properly. Handwashing reduces illnesses, lowers antibiotic use, and prevents antibiotic resistance. Teaching proper handwashing, especially in schools, promotes better health and attendance. Effective handwashing should last at least 20 seconds, with scrubbing across all surfaces of the hands to maximize germ removal. Learn more about proper hand washing here.
The Aging Process: With advancing age comes an increased risk of disease and disability. As people live longer, they are more likely to develop at least one age-related disease. And as the global population gets older, the global burden of these diseases is expected to grow. Instead of treating each individual disease as it arises, a more effective way to reduce this burden would be to attack them at their common root: the aging process itself. Click here to learn how NIH-funded researchers are working to better understand aging at the molecular level and exploring potential ways to slow—or even reverse—the aging process.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu