July 1, 2025
Community Health Corner
In America’s Health Rankings report for 2024, Kansas is ranked number 28 of the 50 states in overall health of its residents. We need to raise that ranking which was once in the top 10! K-State Extension is working with others to improve everyone’s health, and we want all to join the effort. From urban, metro, suburban, rural and frontier locations, Extension works in partnership with communities to deliver meaningful and relevant programs and initiatives to keep health closer to home. The following resources help us improve well-being, achieve Healthy People 2030 objectives and follow recommendations included in the National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being.
Radon in Kansas: After smoking and secondhand smoke, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that forms in rocks, soil, and water. It cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. When radon gets into homes or buildings through cracks or holes, it can get trapped and build up in the air inside. People who live or work in these homes and buildings breathe in high radon levels. Over long periods of time, radon can cause lung cancer. K-State Extension and the KUMC Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) have a mutual interest in reducing cancer risk across Kansas, and MCA addresses radon through outreach screenings for cancer, other chronic conditions and through distribution of test kits. Click here to learn more about reducing radon in your home and lowering your risk of its harmful effects
Additionally, Kansas State University is the home for the state’s Radon Awareness and Mitigation program. For resources and lists of radon specialists that Kansans can use check out the K-State Radon Program here.
Guns Require Safe Storage: According to experts at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, safe firearm storage is one of the most effective ways to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths, but in the U.S., less than half of all gun owners store all their guns safely—that is, unloaded, locked up, and separate from ammunition. The Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins as produced fact sheets and resources to help parents and health care providers address gun safety with families, patients, community partners. Specifically, the Center has tips to help parents feel comfortable having that conversation.
Physicians are encouraged to print and share this safe storage info sheet (available in English and Spanish) with patients. A comprehensive toolkit, Safe Storage Saves Lives is also available for download.
Kansas Public Health Conference, Sept. 23-24 in Wichita: Save the dates of September 23-24 for the 2025 Kansas Public Health Association (KPHA) Conference at the WSU Metropolitan Complex in Wichita. The theme of the conference is Adapting for Tomorrow: Driving Change and Building Resilience, and the conference agenda and registration are open now. You do not need to be a KPHA member to attend.
For more information, check at the Kansas health data dashboards and resources at Kansas Health Matters or contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu