October 25, 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 everyone’s health. The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development practices 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 improve health equity and well-being working with communities to achieve the nation’s Healthy People 2030 objectives.
SHARE NOW: The national Office of Women's Health (OWH) encourages everyone to destress for high blood pressure reduction. October is Hypertension Awareness month and self-care is vital when managing blood pressure. Stress can contribute to high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. Taking time every day to relax and destress is critical to lower blood pressure and increase quality of life. We can all benefit from trying new ways to respond to and cope with stress.
UNDERSTAND NOW: Housing is a pressing issue in rural and urban communities in Kansas. Limited quality and affordable housing impacts whether a new business locates in town and effects the health of families and whole communities. The Bloomberg School of Public Health reports on a recent news story of how housing influences "urban heat islands," hazardous waste and can contribute to chronic health issues. A vibrant Kansas workforce, healthy environments and thriving families are also linked to a community’s housing. Information about housing programs in Kansas is available at Kansas Housing.
ANNOUNCE NOW: The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded K-State's MPH program three-year $1,486,217 grant for the program Ready to Serve: Building a Day-1-Ready Public Health Workforce for Kansas and Beyond.
The grant allows the university to offer up to 73 scholarships for tuition, supplies, books and travel for part-time and full-time students in the K-State Master of Public Health program emphasis areas. KSRE will be part of this effort through the opportunity to work with MPH interns in local units. The project team includes: Susan Rensing, co-principal investigator and teaching associate professor of social transformation studies; Justin Kastner, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology; Kate KuKanich, professor of small animal internal medicine; Jennifer Miller, director of the bachelor's degree program in public health; Elaine Johannes, professor in community health and extension specialist; and Fred Burrack, director of assessment.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.