Racial and Ethnic Minority Health Disparities in Kansas

2 Min Read

Oct 25, 2006

By

Kim S. Kimminau, Ph.D.,

Connie J. Satzler

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Significant health disparities exist between white Kansans and members of racial and ethnic minority groups in the state. Kansas minorities like minority populations nationwide are disproportionately affected by disease and by other health conditions caused, in part, by socioeconomic status and lack of access to quality health care.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Kansas: A Data and Chartbook gathers for the first time available, data that document the breadth of health disparities at the state and county levels. It also sheds light on underlying causes and suggests options policymakers should consider to resolve health disparities in Kansas.

This report represents the results of the Kansas Turning Point Minority Health Disparities project, which was completed in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Report

The report is a narrative that covers a variety of topics including the history of race and ethnicity in health statistics; Kansas community perspectives on the causes and effects of health disparities; key issues of causality; and policy implications and recommendations. Health characteristics of each minority population in Kansas are included in the report, along with a focus on disparities by major disease conditions.

Appendices

The central work of the Kansas Turning Point project was to collect available data that would inform understanding of minority health disparities in the state. The appendices present the data gathered throughout the project. Eight separate appendices provide both summary data-at-a-glance findings as well as data at the state, population density, and/or county level when available. Topics include demographics, housing, education, crime, income and employment, disease and disability, births, deaths, and risk behaviors. Select the links below to view the appendices.

Access these publications in the Documents & Downloads section.

About Kansas Health Institute

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

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