August 12, 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
Issues with PFAS: Interest in soil health and water quality is increasing, and with it is consumer awareness of PFAS. PFAS are known for their resistance to water, grease, and stains, and these compounds are included in items we use every day, like cleaning products, nonstick cookware, cosmetics, firefighting foams. According to experts conducting research at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - also known as “forever chemicals” - build up in the environment and in people contributing to health risks. An estimated 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations of PFAS in their blood. Federal agencies are taking steps to reduce the presence of PFAS in our food and water supplies. For example the federal EPA mandated that water providers reduce PFAS to near-zero levels in April 2025. Learn more about the PFAS, which were invented in the 1930s, and their health impacts here.
Reducing the Risk of HPV Cancer: The Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) has education modules and resources about the importance of HPV vaccination. According to America’s Health Rankings, Kansas ranks 33 among all states for HPV vaccination rate, and 60.4% of Kansas adolescents have received recommended doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The nation’s Healthy People 2030 target percentage is 80%. The IKC HPV information kit includes a flyer, sample email for partners, sample social media posts.
Impacts of federal H.R. 1 (the “Big Beautiful Bill”) on Health in Kansas: On July 31, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (UMHMF), in partnership with the REACH Healthcare Foundation, sponsored a webinar where a Manatt Health research team presented final findings on the projected impact of H.R. 1 ( “One Big Beautiful Bill”) on health care access and coverage in Kansas. Discussed were significant implications for the state budget, and ramifications for vulnerable populations, nonprofit health and human services providers and communities. Access the presentation slides and the research brief here. The UMHMF will post the webinar recording on their site when it is available.
Learning Opportunities . . .
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The Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition is holding its annual conference Oct 16-17 at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview Wichita. Register here for the 2025 Kansas Breastfeeding Conference.
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Since 2015, researchers funded by the NIH have been studying how childhood experiences (such as sports, videogames, social media, unhealthy sleep patterns, smoking) influence brain development and other physical and social health outcomes. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study follows over 10,000 children from pre-adolescence into adulthood, and findings on early substance use and protective factors will be explored during a Sept. 8 webinar. The “Inside Adolescence: Substance Use Patterns, Predictions, Risk, and Resilience in the ABCD Study” webinar on Sept. 8 (offered twice 4-5pm and 7-8pm) will provide study findings and actionable insights for the prevention of adolescent substance misuse and the reduction of risk factors. Register here.
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