October 10, 2023
The Community Health Corner
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies with health literacy programs to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The following resources help us improve well-being for all and achieve Healthy Kansas 2030 and Healthy People 2030 objectives.
New Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps: CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) has released updated adult obesity prevalence maps that reveal that in 22 states, 35% or more of adults have obesity. Kansas is among these states. Just a decade ago, no state had an adult obesity prevalence at or above 35%. The 2022 Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps highlight the need for population-based interventions.
Kansas Schools Suicide Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration and Postvention Toolkit: In 2016, Kansas passed the Jason Flatt Act making youth suicide prevention in schools everyone’s responsibility. According to the 2023 KCTC survey, 35% of Kansas school children had either thought of killing themselves, made a plan or tried to kill themselves in their lifetime. The Kansas School Mental Health Advisory Council has released a comprehensive Toolkit to help Kansas schools, parents, communities with the Prevention, Intervention, Reintegration and Postvention of youth suicide.
National Women's Blood Pressure Awareness Week (October 15-21): Heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in the United States. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the major risk factors related to heart disease. Prevalence information of hypertension in Kansas cities and counties is available at Kansas Health Matters. Between October 15-21, use the Office of Women’s Health webinars and online resources to build awareness and encourage women to act on high blood pressure. KSRE's HAPp (Hypertension Awareness and Prevention Program) will be highlighted on October 19 during a national summit. Register here for the National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week summit. You can also access infographics, fact sheets and a daily schedule for the NWBPAW Week here.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu.