December 20, 2022
The Community Health Corner
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies with mutually reinforcing and targeted health programs to ensure that every person has the opportunity to attain their full health potential. The following tools and resources can be used to improve health access, equity and well-being to achieve Healthy Kansas 2030 objectives and contribute to the nation’s Healthy People 2030 outcomes.
UNDERSTAND NOW: “What is RSV?” is explained by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), December 2022 Parents Pack newsletter. While a number of pediatric hospitals have become overwhelmed with child patients, RSV is not just a childhood disease. The RSV information is among other timely resources available through the monthly Parents Pack. In addition to increasing rates of RSV, flu is also surging in Kansas. The weekly influenza surveillance maps that the CDC provides are available here.
TRY NOW: Information from the Greater Good Science Center, University of California, highlights studies that reveal how social “weak ties” (such as pleasant interactions with a stranger) can contribute to overall happiness. Read here how strong, long-term relationships as well as incidental interactions matter to overall health and well-being. The Greater Good Science Center also features daily research-based well-being exercises for free.
SHARE NOW: Last year’s 4-County Fire, December 15, 2021 resulted in losses that are still remembered and grieved. The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was ten years ago on December 14, and Newtown, CT has erected a memorial to help the whole community through the process of remembrance and recovery. Grief is a difficult emotion any time, but it is especially hard during the holiday season for adults and for children. Children who experience recent or past losses grieve in unique ways that are different from adults. The National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) provides resources for parents, family members and friends who want to help children through grief during the holidays and throughout the year. The NACG Holiday "Season of Family" Toolkit is available here. Toolkits are also available in Spanish.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.