February 10, 2026
Community Health Corner
America’s Health Ranking Kansas Summary Report for 2025, lists Kansas as number 27 of the 50 states in overall health of its residents. Let’s all pull together to raise that ranking! K-State Extension is working with others to improve everyone’s health. 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.
2024 Report of Health Insurance in Kansas: The Kansas Health Institute (KHI) tracks health insurance trends across the state and shares clear, nonpartisan information. Their new report and infographic reveals the latest available data to provide a high-level snapshot of health insurance coverage for nearly 3 million Kansans in 2024. Use the infographic to raise awareness about health insurance coverage in Kansas. Access the infographic and the accompanying report here.
Adverse Childhood Experiences Rates Remain Stable With Modest Declines Since the Global Pandemic: According to national reports, in 2023, 37.5% of children experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), a small but statistically significant improvement from 39.8% in 2018. According to Child Trends reporting, Adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, broadly refer to a range of childhood circumstances or events that pose a serious threat to physical or psychological well-being, and are associated with many negative physical and mental health outcomes throughout the lifespan. Learn more about the national decline (though slight) in ACEs here. ACEs information for Kansas counties is available here through KDHE.
Sneaky, Persistent Viruses: The recent outbreak of measles in South Carolina with 876 cases reported on Feb. 3 is concerning not only for the children and adults inflicted with the disease, but it’s concerning for the long lingering effects. According to experts at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, some viruses can hide in immune-privileged spaces, like the brain, eyes, lymph nodes, and reproductive tissues, where standard blood tests can’t detect them. These specialized environments limit typical immune responses, allowing pathogens to persist for years before re-emerging. For example, Shingles is a condition stemming from chicken pox that can surge in adulthood. In the case of measles, it can enter the brain, slow its replication to avoid detection, and reappear five to 10 years post-infection as severe encephalitis which can be fatal. Vaccination is the best prevention for contracting measles and other communicable diseases. Learn more about post-viral conditions here.
Opportunities:
- NOMV (Not One More Veterinarian) is offering emergency and support grants to veterinary businesses impacted by weather, economic or social disasters. Find out more at NOMV https://nomv.org/apply-for-a-grant/
- Obesity Treatment and Cancer Risk Reduction webinar: Obesity is linked to 13 different types of cancer and contributes to 40% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the United States. On March 3 (Tuesday, 12pm-1pm CT) this KUMC/Masonic Cancer Alliance webinar covers nutrition, behavior interventions, and obesity treatment options (including GLP-1 medications) that can serve as cancer risk reduction strategies. Register for the free webinar here.
- Working Well Conference in Wichita: For over 20 years, the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita has organized the state’s worksite wellness conference about the value of wellness to the economic prosperity of businesses. Plan to attend the Rooted in Strength on April 10 (8am-4pm) in Wichita’s Drury Hotel. Click here to learn more and register.
- KUMC Cancer Center Study of Cancer Survivors: The Patient and Investigator Voices Organizing Together (PIVOT) Program is holding their annual workshop to train new patient research advocates and cancer survivors on Saturday, February 28 (8:30 am – 12pm) at the KU Cancer Center in Fairway, KS. Click here to learn more and register.
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