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KSRE Tuesday Letter

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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

November 5, 2024

Community Health Corner

Submitted by Elaine Johannes

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.

PartnerSHIP Grants are Being Accepted: KDHE, through KUMC COPE, is offering up to $37,000 grants to local organizations, coalitions for unique projects that address local Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP). Organizations based in rural or frontier communities are especially encouraged to apply. Applications are due December 1, 2024. The application details are here.

To learn more, attend an online RFA information session that will be held on November 12, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. Central Time. This meeting is an opportunity for applicants to learn more about the RFA and application process here. Contact Kara Knapp: kknapp5@kumc.edu if you have questions. Elaine Johannes (ejohanne@ksu.edu) is available to help coach local Extension units and partner groups in their applications submission.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season: According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health there are three approved vaccines and prevention technologies that could help curb serious disease.

  • For pregnant people: The maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo) is an inactivated protein vaccine that stimulates the mother’s immune system to create antibodies that are then passed to the baby, protecting the baby against severe RSV for approximately six months after birth.
  • For adults ages 60+: There are three RSV vaccines on the market: GSK's Arexvy, Pfizer's Abrysvo, and Moderna's mResvia. Eligible patients should take whatever vaccine is available. One dose of RSV vaccine provides protection against severe RSV disease in adults over 60 for up to two years. Learn more here.

Kansas Reports Available: Two recent reports revealing Kansas health trends:

  • 2024 Kansas KIDS Count: This Kansas Action for Children (KAC) data book makes child- and family-focused data more accessible and easier to understand
  • 2024 Kansas Health Statistics Report: This KDHE report includes trends among Emergency Department visits for intentional self-harm (suicide attempts) in Kansas from 2016-2023

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu