September 9, 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
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Raise awareness, promote hope, and care. Suicide affects millions of people every year, and in Kansas there are seasonal variations. KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) epidemiologist Lauren Gracy tracks and publishes suicide data that reveals trends of suicide in our state. It has been reported that suicide peaks in the spring and summer. There is also evidence that seasonality varies by age; researchers have found greater burden of youth suicide morbidity and mortality in the spring and autumn, coinciding with school semesters. A graph illustrating the 2014-2023 suicide deaths by season and year in Kansas is available here. Check out the SAMHSA toolkits that acknowledge the importance of suicide prevention and help communities address systems of support for those who survive suicide. Those free resources are available here.
Quick Guide to Public Health Misinformation: Earlier this year, the Public Health Communications Collaborative released resources to address public health misinformation intended to respond effectively to false narratives. The 4-pg quick guide describes the “truth sandwich” (fact, warning, misinformation, fact) method for debunking of intentional misinformation. Fact is important, but so are community relationships. The CDC Foundation offers tools to strengthen and sustain relationships when the discussion of facts is difficult. Extension units work through these difficult conversations with health partners and community residents. The recommendations for strengthening partnerships are here.
Vaccination is Important for All Ages: Did you know that rural US residents, when compared to urban residents, have more concerns regarding safety, long-term side effects, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccines (CDC 2023)?
For farmers and agricultural workers, one critical but sometimes overlooked vaccine is the tetanus vaccine. Tetanus bacteria are commonly found in soil, dust, and manure - which means that cuts, scrapes, or puncture wounds sustained during farm work can quickly become serious. Staying up to date on tetanus boosters (every 10 years) is a simple and highly effective way to safeguard your health and keep you working safely.
Check out some of the resources below:
- How Vaccines and Immunizations Work - CDC Page
- Where to Get Low- or No-Cost Immunizations - The American Association of Immunologists
- Key Vaccination Resources - Immunize Kansas Coalition
Professional Development:
The Kansas Prevention Conference (KPC), October 16-17 in Wichita focuses on emerging trends and building skills and knowledge to prevent suicide, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug misuse. Agenda and registration for the KPC are available 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