Why does health care cost Americans so much? What role do providers, insurers and patients play in the cost of care? On September 30, the Kansas Health Institute hosted a virtual event that explored different perspectives on these questions and strategies for responding to rising costs.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has strained the U.S. health care system and highlighted existing health care workforce shortages. In response, many states have tried to expand their workforce capacity to care for those with COVID-19. Most approaches that states have taken are consistent with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Governors Association, and include actions like modifying provider scope of practice, recruiting retired or inactive providers and easing restrictions on telemedicine, among others. This edition of A Kansas Twist focuses on two of those approaches — modifying scope of practice and recruiting retired or inactive providers — and how they have been implemented in Kansas in response to the pandemic.
Read MoreNationally and in Kansas, there has been growing concern about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. A newly released heat map from the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California Berkeley shows that Kansas ranked 37 of 44 states for the largest racial disparity in coronavirus deaths. Data available from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) present much the same picture. While Blacks make up just 6.1 percent of the state population, they comprise 25.4 percent of the 236 deaths due to coronavirus for which race is reported. This edition of A Kansas Twist provides information on the equity task forces that have been formed around the country and describes data that highlight the uneven burden of disease in Kansas.
Read MoreWhile social distancing is important to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it could lead to even more older Kansans experiencing social isolation. It is important that we learn from the current situation how to minimize the overall risk and address disparities in Kansas.
Read MoreStrong evidence supports the importance of social connectedness to quality of life and health status. This report, commissioned by AARP Kansas, looks at social isolation among older adults in Kansas, with an emphasis on Johnson County and Wyandotte County. It provides a summary of current research on social isolation, possible causes and the degree to which those causes differentially affect older adults based on gender, race/ethnicity and other demographic factors. Promising interventions and policies also are explored.
Read MoreOn May 8, 2019, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI), in collaboration with the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA), convened 172 stakeholders from across the state to discuss how to use data from the 2019 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps to adapt to changing needs in Kansas.
Read MoreOn May 8, 2019, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI), in collaboration with the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA), convened 172 stakeholders from across the state to discuss how to use data from the 2019 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps to adapt to changing needs in Kansas.
Read MoreSuicide deaths in Kansas have increased over the past two decades. This increase has occurred as other health outcomes have improved. This issue brief describes trends and disparities that exist in suicide deaths in Kansas.
Read MoreInfant mortality is a fundamental measure of public health status for communities and nations around the world. This issue brief describes trends and disparities that exist in infant mortality in Kansas.
Read MoreSocioeconomic status is a complex combination of factors—including income, education and occupation that can have a strong influence on a person’s daily life. This issue brief describes racial and ethnic disparities that exist in socioeconomic status in Kansas.
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Legislative activity highlights with a specific focus on health policy related issues.
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