March 29, 2022
The Community Health Corner
Community health uses science-based approaches for the greatest health benefit to the greatest number of people by addressing the social, economic, and structural drivers that impact health. The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends health equity and community approaches to ensure that every person has the opportunity to "attain his or her full health potential," and no one is "disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances." The following tools and resources can be used to further improve health equity and well-being for communities.
RESPOND NOW: Cooperative Extension professionals across the nation and at all levels are invited to share their opinions and experiences regarding COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccination education. This is a short survey that should take about 15-20 minutes to complete:
https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3jU0g7onaHBbd5k.
This project, which is being undertaken by Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow Center for Media & Health Promotion Research, WSU Extension, and the WSU College of Education, is sponsored by the Extension Foundation and the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement (EXCITE).
WEAR BLUE THIS FRIDAY: April 1 is Wear Blue Day for Child Abuse Prevention month. Raise awareness for child abuse prevention programs. Tell others why you wear blue and have blue pinwheels in the front of your office! Share your pictures using #GrowingBetterTogether and #WearBlueDay2022. For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit Kansas Children Service League and Prevent Child Abuse Kansas. Blue pinwheels can be ordered for purchase through KCSL at: 877-530-5275 x1348 | pinwheels@kcsl.org.
UNDERSTAND NOW: The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children’s Hospital Association have declared a national state of emergency in children’s mental health because of the cumulative effects of COVID-19. Last month, the Hopeful Futures Campaign released its America’s School Mental Health Report Card, documenting the mental health struggles of children, families and communities across the country. This report evaluated policies in the categories of mental health professionals, partnerships, training, funding, wellbeing, school climate, skills for life success, and mental health education. According to the report, Kansas ranks 33rd overall for youth mental health, down from 26 in 2021 (see pages 84-87 of the national report). Learn more about mental health in Kansas schools at the KSDE Mental Health Intervention Team site here.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.