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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

September 17, 2024

The Community Health Corner

Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez

happy children

The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies and 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.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. This month represents an opportunity to celebrate the diverse contributions of Latino culture while focusing efforts to address disparities and support health improvement. Because health literacy is often lower among Hispanic populations - and is so important to preventing and addressing cardiovascular conditions, the American Heart Association is focused on making tools as accessible as possible. A growing number of Spanish-language resources are available for use and sharing, including:

Healthy Schools: The American Heart Association supports several initiatives and resources to help promote healthy school across the country.

  • The Alliance for a Healthier Generation (cofounded by the American Heart Association) works with schools, youth-serving organizations, and businesses, to build healthier communities that support children’s physical, social, and emotional health. Visit the link to view the latest impact report, see the healthiest schools in America, and get involved.
  • As part of the AHA’s effort to build a Nation of Lifesavers, they are supporting schools in establishing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP). Visit the link to view guides and checklists for establishing CERPs.
  • While recent reports show that e-cigarette use is down among youth, schools continue to face many challenges in addressing their use. Visit the link for strategies to improve health outcomes for students, and communities.
  • The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have teamed up to develop NFL PLAY 60. The goal of the initiative is to get kids physically active for 60 minutes a day and improve their overall health. Visit the link to see how millions of kids and families are engaging in physical activity to improve their physical and mental wellness.
  • Last year, more than 1000 rural, Midwest schools participated in the Kids Heart Challenge program. Students learned about a variety of health topics and helped secure important PE equipment for their schools. Register or learn more about the program by following the link.

Vaccination Recommendations For K-12 Students: Join CDC, Department of Education, National Association of School Nurses, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation on September 25th from 3:00–4:30 pm ET for a webinar titled Vaccinations for School-Age Children: Opportunities for Health Promotion, Collaboration, and Family Engagement! This webinar will provide school and healthcare attendees with training on the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vaccination recommendations for K-12 students and evidence-based strategies and promising practices for strengthening childhood vaccination coverage. There will also be tips for how to create and develop partnership opportunities to increase vaccine access and uptake and how to use available resources to talk with families about the importance of childhood vaccination for the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year and beyond.

For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu