November 11, 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.
November is American Diabetes Month: According to the American Heart Association, more rural residents have Type 2 Diabetes, and they are also more likely to experience significant complications. The American Diabetes Association has a press toolkit to raise awareness throughout the month. The American Heart Association also has tools that focus on the risk of heart disease among individuals with diabetes: What is Diabetes? ; Kidney Health Screening; Life’s Essential 8: Blood
The Health Impacts of Time Policy: Daylight savings time ended on Nov. 2 and across the nation and permanent standard time is shown to be healthier. According to a recent analysis by Stanford Medicine scientists, changing clocks twice a year disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to higher rates of stroke and obesity. The researchers compared how permanent standard time, permanent daylight saving time and biannual shifting affect people’s circadian rhythms, and health across the country. Circadian rhythm is the body’s innate, roughly 24-hour clock, which regulates many physiological processes. The team found that, from a circadian perspective, biannual shifting of time has the worse impacts. Permanent standard time benefit the health and well-being of the most people. According to lead researcher, Dr. Jamie Zeitzer, staying in standard time or staying in daylight saving time is better than switching twice a year. More about the Stanford study is here.
Treatment and Management of Certain Medical Conditions Cost More: The national Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has issued a Fast Facts report revealing that a small share of individuals with chronic conditions account for a disproportionate amount of total costs in the US. Heart disease, nervous system disorders and respiratory conditions lead the list of sixteen conditions that have the highest cost burden for employers, insurers and individuals. The report helps policymakers and community-based providers design targeted strategies for care management, cost containment and improved health outcomes directed towards top chronic conditions. Read the EBRI article, Health Care Spending Trends and Medical Condition Prevalence Among Top Health Care Users 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