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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

June 29, 2021

The Community Health Corner

Submitted by Elaine Johannes

According to the CDC, community health uses science-based approaches for the greatest health benefit to the greatest number of people by addressing social, economic and structural drivers that impact health. Changes in policies, systems and environments, settings are among the most effective ways to tackle big health issues. Being healthy is not just about individual choices, it’s also about the conditions that influence everyone’s health.

PREPARE NOW: Kansas is implementing the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline effective in July 2022. Leading up to that date, callers are to begin using 7-digit dialing by October, 2021. Suicide rates are rising across the nation and in Kansas which has a rate of 18.7 compared to the national suicide rate of 13.3 in 2019. 988 dialing is important because more people in suicidal and mental health crisis will be helped. Attention to the new lifeline number also brings attention to financing for mobile crisis services, crisis center hubs and crisis stabilization services.

RESPOND NOW: There is still time to review the proposed Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being (2021) and submit your feedback here. The framework features community development, systemic and collaborative strategies to improve the health of all people in the nation. In the near future, KSRE discussions about the framework’s relevance to our state’s health and KSRE programming will be planned.

REGISTER NOW: The health of Kansas communities is influenced employment, housing, access to care and services and other health drivers. Plan to attend the up-coming Kansas Economic Outlook conferences throughout Kansas offered by WSU’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research with the kick- off conference in Wichita on October 7. Registrations are open here.

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes at ejohanne@ksu.edu.