November 25, 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, timely relevant programs and initiatives for health and well-being. The following resources help us improve well-being and achieve national Healthy People 2030 objectives.
Harvard University’s Making Care Common: Educators, families, community leaders are invited to access the MCC’s Educator Toolkit for Teen Mental Health and participate in free, online community-of-practice sessions focused on evidence-based strategies that support young people’s mental health. Register here to participate in three sessions held (5:30 pm-6:30 pm) December 4, January 21 and March 4, 2026. The sessions cover helping teens build coping skills, manage stress, and cultivate meaning and purpose. Making Care Common tools and resources can enhance Extension efforts to build community, encourage kindness and reduce social isolation.
2025 Legislative Recap on Health: The 2026 Kansas Legislative session is around the corner and the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) has compiled a recap of the health-related legislative actions from the 2025 Kansas session. KHI also has published a supplemental bill tracker, which provides descriptions and progress updates of health-related issues discussed in 2025, including bills that will carry over to 2026.
How Americans are Thinking about Aging: Pew Research Center asked Americans how they feel about their health, well-being and other aspects of life as they age. Findings are part of a larger survey on aging conducted by Pew between September 2-8, 2025, among 8,750 U.S. adults of all ages. Topics of income, finances, health and mobility were included in the survey. Survey respondents’ revealed that 49% of adults ages 65 and older say they are aging extremely or very well. By comparison, 30% of those younger than 65 expect to age similarly well. Respondents also gave advice for aging well: 8% mentioned working hard or having a good, stable or fulfilling job; 7% gave advice related to a spiritual life; and 24% advised that younger people enjoy their life, cherish every moment or live with gratitude.
Vaccines Do More Than Prevent Disease: We know that vaccinations reduce the risk of diseases (e.g., measles, tetanus, cervical cancer), but there is strong evidence that vaccination can reduce risk of cardiovascular events (stroke, heart disease), dementia, and other conditions. Johns Hopkins School of Public Health have compiled evidence about how vaccinations against flu, RSV, shingles, pneumonia can reduce inflammation associated with chronic conditions in adults. Other benefits of vaccination include reducing chronic absenteeism, protection from RSV and keeping children academically on-track in schools. Information and peer-reviewed articles about these benefits are located here. The CDC also has resources to respond to common questions about reasons to vaccinate.
For more information, check out 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