September 23, 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.
What You Eat Can Influence the Risk of Mosquito Bites: The calendar may say it’s officially fall, but there are still plenty of warm nights ahead that are prime time for mosquitoes seeking out their next “meal”. According to Conor McMeniman, researcher at Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, “Diet definitely has the potential to influence the way that you smell by affecting blood chemistry and associated bacteria that potentially live on your skin”. Mosquitoes are attracted to chemicals like ammonia and lactic acid, so some of the stuff you eat and drink may lead to more bites. In a study published in Current Biology in 2023, McMeniman and a team from Zambia the team observed that mosquitoes were drawn to people who had body odor profiles high in a class of acids known as carboxylic acids which are associated with certain foods, including dairy products like milk, cream, and butter, and fermented items like miso, cheese, yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled cucumbers. Researchers have also found that drinking beer stimulated mosquitoes to land on people more often (2002, 2010).
Parental Loneliness and its Remedy: According to an Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center survey of 265 parents conducted in April 2024, as many as 66% of parents say they “sometimes” or “frequently” feel isolated and lonely. Almost four out of five say they’d “value a way to connect with parents outside the work and home.” What’s more, higher levels of loneliness were associated with higher levels of burnout. The World Health Organization Commission on Social Connection recently pointed out, loneliness makes “significant impacts on health and well-being”, but that there are effective and practical remedies. Check out this article through the Greater Good Science Center here.
National Farm Safety and Health Week: The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety reminds us that the third week of September if National Farm Safety and Health Week. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the agricultural sector is still the most dangerous in America with 417 fatalities (2022). Fall harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. For this reason, has sitting U.S. President since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 proclaimed National Farm Safety and Health Week during this busy time. Resources and free webinars for this week and year-round are available through national education center and the AgriSafe Network.
988 Mental Health and Suicide Response Line: September is national Suicide Prevention Month and it’s important to know where to get help when you’re concerned about someone. 988 is the national call line which continues to operate across the nation 24/7. American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous Peoples communities can have a higher risk of suicide so 988 calls can be directed to native and indigenous counselors through the Native and Strong Lifeline which is confidential, free, and available 24/7. Calls are answered by Native crisis counselors who are Tribal citizens and descendants closely tied to their communities. To reach the Native and Strong Lifeline, call "988" and press 4. The mental health and wellness of all people is important. Learn more about national Suicide Prevention Month 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