January 4, 2022
The Community Health Corner
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends health equity and community approaches to ensure that no one is “disadvantaged from achieving their potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.” The following tools and resources can be used to help address the social, economic and structural drivers that can lead to the greatest health benefit for the greatest number of people.
REVIEW NOW: The final report of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice was released the end of December, and includes recommendations focused on social determinants of health (SDoH). The report (available here) is comprised of 124 recommendations ranging from expanding eligibility for full amounts of food stamps to building systems and structures that support deployment of Community Health Workers (CHW) to bridge health access gaps across Kansas.
SHARE NOW: Supporting the mental health of the nation’s youth is a major priority for the Surgeon General. The end of December, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. The report calls for a whole-of-society effort to mitigate the mental health impacts of the pandemic, to address longstanding challenges, and to prevent future mental health challenges. All of us have a role to play.
SUPPORT NOW: The December 15, Four County Fire incinerated more than 190 square miles in Ellis, Russell, Osborne and Rooks counties, but it wasn’t the only wildfire that the wind storm sparked. In all, the Kansas Forest Service recorded 16 wildfires in western and central Kansas that day, singeing more than 160,000 acres across 13 counties. Mental Health Resources can be found through Kansas Ag Stress. Monetary donations can be contributed at Southwind Bank or Paradise United Methodist Church Fire Fund.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.