Kansas Health Institute | Work by Sarah Green

Kansas vaccination rates among highest in country

The rate of childhood immunizations in Kansas is now among the highest in the nation, a dramatic change from where the state stood a decade ago.

Boost coming for programs that help expectant moms

Health reform includes dollars to expand home visitations

New federal health reform legislation over the next several years will pump millions of dollars into home visitation programs for new and expecting mothers with the goal of reducing rates of premature birth and infant mortality.

Food security task force made permanent

Gov. Mark Parkinson on Wednesday made permanent a task force that studies why growing numbers of Kansans struggle to put food on the table and ways the problem of “food insecurity,” might be solved.

Judge lifts restraining order in Wichita smoking ban case

The statewide smoking ban is now being enforced in Wichita.

Public health funding in possible jeopardy

Farm lobby and public health officials at odds over health reform provision

When Congress passed major health reform legislation earlier this year, it approved billions of dollars in spending over the next several years for prevention and public health programs. But the funds are now back on the line.

Proposed guidelines for tobacco retailers released

Tobacco retailers who enrolled in approved training programs may face lower fines than those who do not, according to draft guidelines released this week by the federal Food and Drug Administration.

UPDATED - School vending machine requirement to proceed

Beverage industry had asked for a delay in guidelines restricting soda pop sales

The Kansas State Board of Education on Wednesday voted to stick to a scheduled Aug. 1 implementation of a new vending machine policy despite a request from the beverage industry for a delay.

Wichita council postpones tobacco talk

The Wichita City Council will wait to see the outcome of a court challenge to the new statewide smoking ban before reconsidering changes to the city’s smoking ordinance.

Statewide smoking ban in effect

Kansas today became the 35th state in the nation to restrict smoking in public areas.

Smoking ban injunction issued for 31 private clubs

Statewide smoking ban to take effect Thursday, minus newer private clubs and certain businesses in Wichita

A Shawnee County judge has ruled that private clubs will be temporarily exempt from the statewide smoking ban that becomes effective Thursday.

Smoking ban decision expected Wednesday

New law's implementation could be delayed

A Shawnee County District Court judge is expected to rule Wednesday on whether a new statewide smoking ban will begin on Thursday.

Businesses challenge smoking ban

Several businesses have joined a lawsuit against the state, asserting that the statewide public smoking ban that becomes effective July 1 is unconstitutional.

KHPA to review pharmacy contract for state employees

Dispute between CVS Caremark and Walgreens has state officials taking a second look

A dispute between two pharmacy giants has state officials thinking twice about their pending contract with CVS Caremark.

Family medicine mentoring program shows promise

Program pairs students with primary care doctors

It’s not always easy for medical school students to find career advice outside the classroom.

Cities gearing up for smoking ban changes

Cities and businesses are preparing for the July 1 start of a statewide smoking ban.

Hospitalists poised to help with reform

Dr. Matt Voth doesn’t carry a pager home from the hospital. He doesn’t need to.

Recruiting hospitalists could help primary care workforce shortage

Hospitals in cities such as Wichita and Topeka are finding that hospitalist positions are becoming an important recruiting tool.

State employee pharmacy plan to change

State employees who use Walgreens to fill their prescriptions will soon have to find another pharmacy.

State health insurance rates set

The forecast for the state employee health insurance plan “isn’t pretty.”

Kansas EMS workers prepare for transition

Education requirements, roles to change beginning in 2011

The Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services is gearing up for some major changes.

KU working to expand women's heart program

Local community involvement sought

Officials at the University of Kansas Hospital are preparing to expand to other parts of the state a women's heart screening program that began in Kansas City.

State school board changes vending policies

Most Kansas schools have set strict requirements for food and beverages sold in vending machines, but beginning in August all schools will have to follow the same rules.

Text message service to encourage women to access prenatal health care

A new text messaging system might motivate some pregnant women to seek appropriate prenatal care.

Seat belt, texting ban bills approved

The Legislature has approved bills that will give police the authority to stop vehicles if drivers or their front-seat passengers aren't wearing seat belts and write tickets for texting while driving.

House, Senate approve infant mortality bill

Kansas public health officials say they are an important step closer to understanding the state’s high infant mortality rate.

Website will help businesses with smoking ban

Online toolkit walks business owners through new requirements

A statewide ban on smoking in most public places will take effect July 1, prompting business owners to ask: What’s next? The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Monday unveiled a website that provides a step-by-step “recipe” for following the new law.

Texting while driving ban expected to pass

Lawmakers also foresee passage of a primary seat belt law

Legislators today predicted passage of a bill that would ban texting while driving. And a Topeka teen described the accident that convinced her to stop.

Reform's success will depend on state implementation

KHPA officials begin talk of changes

Most of the recently passed federal health reform measures start in 2014, which seems a long wait to some. But Kansas Health Policy Authority Executive Director Andy Allison insists it’s not.

Consumer advocates spreading the word on health reform

Consumer advocates say they have a big task ahead as various parts of the new, federal health reform start to become effective in the coming weeks and months.

Congress looking at school food standards

Legislation being considered by Congress could lead to changes in what children in Kansas and elsewhere around the nation eat at school.

State health insurance proposal would swap gift cards for premium discounts

A $50 gift card incentive for members of the state health insurance program may be a thing of the past.

Poll: Most Kansans back tax increases for tobacco and alcohol

$1 per pack more OK with large majority of those surveyed; higher levy on alchohol, too

A large majority of Kansans would support a $1 tax increase on cigarettes to help resolve the state’s budget deficit, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Changes sought in smoking ban law

A new proposal in the Kansas House would allow some bars to permit their customers to smoke indoors.

Outlook up for state employee health plans

State employees will likely pay more for their health insurance in 2011, but not as much as previously expected.

Parkinson signs smoking ban into law

Ban effective July 1

The signing of a bill Friday to enact a statewide smoking ban was a victory for public health officials, Gov. Mark Parkinson said.

EMS scope bill moves forward with big changes

After making substantial changes, a House committee on Thursday approved a bill that assigns new duties and in some cases titles for the different levels of Emergency Medical Services workers.

Cost transparency bill 'step in right direction'

A House bill that would require health care providers to make it easier for consumers to find out the cost of health services is a good start, several supporters said Tuesday.

EMS background checks considered

EMS board wants to know more about job applicants

The Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services asks prospective applicants if they've been convicted of a felony. The number of people who answer "yes" has more than doubled in the last five years.

Hearings scheduled on tobacco and sales tax increases

The Senate Tax Committee will hold three days of hearings on Gov. Mark Parkinson’s tax proposals, including one to increase the levy on tobacco sales. Parkinson in January proposed raising tobacco taxes along with a three-year, 1-cent general sales tax increase. The new taxes would help resolve a budget deficit that continues to grow.

School nutrition bill heard in Senate committee

Healthier choices in snack machines urged

Restricting school vending machine choices to healthy foods and drinks would help youngsters learn to eat better, public health and education officials said Wednesday.

Nutrition bill to get Senate hearing

Junk food out of schools and restaurant menu labeling both pushed by health officials

SB 499, which is aimed at improving school food offerings, scheduled for hearing.

House approves smoking ban

Bill now goes to governor for signature

A bill banning public smoking statewide is headed to the governor’s desk for signature into a law that would become effective July 1.

House floor vote expected on smoking ban

Conference committee failed to meet in run-up

The chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee tried twice Wednesday to meet with Senate negotiators to discuss possible changes to a bill that would limit smoking in public places, but the senators didn’t show up.

Correction made to smoking ban research as House gears up for vote

A correction has been made to a report on heart attacks and smoking bans as House members gear up for a debate on the issue next week.

Texting ban passes Senate

Bill would make texting while driving subject to $100 fine

Kansas Senate approved a ban on text messaging and e-mails while driving. Similar bill approved by House Transportation Committee.

Program focuses on producing doctors for rural Kansas

Kansas Scholars in Rural Health program taps students early

Once they’ve seen the big city, it’s hard to get medical students back to the farm. One Kansas program aims to change that by encouraging young people to become involved with physicians in their local communities before they apply to medical school.

Primary seat belt law wins Senate approval

And the Judiciary Committtee OKs a ban on texting while driving

The Kansas Senate dealt with two traffic safety laws.

TB bill approved by House committee

Colleges would need to have plans for controlling tuberculosis

The House Health and Human Services Committee on Monday approved a bill that would require all Kansas colleges to have a plan for controlling tuberculosis on their campuses.

Change requested for tax on ‘little cigars’

If a little cigar looks like a cigarette and acts like a cigarette, then it should be taxed like a cigarette, a representative from the Kansas Department of Revenue said Wednesday.

House re-opens smoking ban discussion

Most Kansans want a statewide ban on public smoking. But are legislators listening?