Are we out of the woods yet? Check in on the latest blog from A Kansas Twist to see what remains of COVID-19 policy – nationally and in Kansas. Inside find: restrictions eased, CDC’s interim vaccine schedule, summary of current and banned vaccine mandates and passports, lawsuits challenging vaccine requirements, and more.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of Kansans and pushed our hospital systems to their capacity. State and local governments across the U.S. continue taking varied approaches in policymaking to reduce the spread of the virus. On March 1, 2022, the Kansas Health Institute hosted a discussion on the tools used to mitigate COVID-19, with a focus on vaccine policy. Panelists examined factors related to vaccine equity and the impact current policymaking has on all vaccine types. Presenters also provided highlights from recent surveys on vaccine preferences of Kansans.
Read MoreThe Kansas Health Institute is offering a series of five virtual sessions over three weeks. Grab your lunch and join us for these health policy conversations. All events are scheduled from Noon to 1:00 P.M. CST. You can register for one session or multiple sessions.
Read MoreWith the recent surge of COVID-19 cases, at least 14 states and Washington, D.C., have passed statewide school mask mandates. While Kansas is not among them, a growing number of Kansas school districts have announced mask requirements for the upcoming school year. This latest edition of A Kansas Twist highlights school-level strategies across Kansas.
Read MoreThree out of 5 Kansans who were concerned about paying next month’s rent or mortgage on time also reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, nearly twice the rate of those who were not concerned about paying for housing on time. Those who are unable to afford housing may have to make tradeoffs that impede healthy choices which can lead to worse mental and physical health. This edition of Pulse on Kansas examines data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey to report on housing insecurity among Kansans during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on mental health.
Read MoreIn late April, the leading reason for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Kansas adults and those in neighboring states was a concern about possible side effects. The percentage of vaccine-hesitant adults expressing this concern ranged from 42.7 percent of adults in Missouri to 64.5 percent of adults in Kansas. This issue of Pulse on Kansas uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey to detail COVID-19 vaccine intent and reasons for uncertainty among adults age 18 and over in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado and Oklahoma.
Read MoreIn April, while more Kansans reported being vaccinated for COVID-19 and fewer Kansans reported being undecided, the percentage of Kansans who said they definitely would not get a vaccine remained steady. This fact sheet analyzes data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey for April 14 to 26 and focuses on understanding the reasons why some Kansas adults remain uncertain about getting a vaccine.
Read MoreA number of bills related to vaccine policy issues were considered during the 2021 legislative session. Most notably, an item prohibiting the expenditure of state funds related to vaccine passports, defined as “written or electronic documentation of an individual’s COVID-19 vaccination status,” was included as a proviso in the budget. This high interest in vaccine policy mirrors activity in state legislatures across the country. The latest edition of A Kansas Twist looks at vaccine policy issues in Kansas and other states. It is part of a blog series highlighting the steps that have been taken — and the challenges that remain — in ensuring that COVID-19 vaccines are distributed in an equitable manner.
Read MoreKansas has made progress on COVID-19 vaccination. As of March 29, 2021, almost half (48.9 percent) of Kansas adults had received at least one dose, which is a six-fold increase from 8.4 percent in mid-January. However, many Kansans are still uncertain about getting a vaccine. Understanding the leading reasons for continued hesitance could help public health professionals devise effective strategies to reach more Kansans who have not been vaccinated. This issue of Pulse on Kansas describes the self-reported intentions of Kansans about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and leading reasons for hesitancy in late March 2021.
Read MoreEnrollment in KanCare has risen since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Data suggest that this increase in enrollment has been driven primarily by the state’s decision, in response to federal incentives, to continue eligibility for KanCare enrollees throughout the pandemic. However, even with the increase in enrollment, this continuing coverage policy has reduced overall state KanCare costs due to an increase in the federal match rate. This issue brief provides an overview of how the COVID-19 pandemic and related policy response has affected enrollment in KanCare and how it may continue to do so in the future.
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