Community Health Corner
March 31, 2026
Submitted by Elaine Johannes
America’s Health Ranking Kansas Summary Report for 2025, lists Kansas as number 27 of the 50 states in overall health of its residents. Let’s all pull together to raise that ranking! K-State Extension is working with others to improve everyone’s health.
From urban, metro, suburban, rural and frontier locations, Extension works in partnership with communities to deliver meaningful, timely, relevant programs and initiatives for health and well-being. The following resources can help well-being in improve and achieve national Healthy People 2030 objectives.
Masonic Cancer Alliance Community Screenings: The new Masonic Cancer Alliance mobile cancer screening clinic van, Hope on Wheels, has been unveiled and is scheduled for screenings in Kansas communities between May 30 and Oct. 24.
The 42 foot bus provides screenings for skin, prostate and breast cancer, hypertension assessment, distributes colorectal and radon kits as well as smoking cessation resources. The KUMC MCA’s Hope on Wheels helps promote high-quality, affordable care, and ensures that geography isn’t a barrier to detecting cancers earlier.
Health insurance coverage is not required for individuals to participate in the free cancer screenings. The press release about the dedication of the clinic van and its capacity is available on the Kansas Masonic Foundation website here.
The list of dates and communities for screenings will be available soon. For more information, contact Karin Denes-Collar, KUMC MCA Associate Director, kdenescollar@kumc.edu.
Kansas Health Matters: K-State Extension is a long-time partner of the Kansas Health Matters website, which provides community health-related statistical data, local resources and community health assessment information in one, accessible, user-friendly location.
Community groups, schools, health associations, chambers of commerce, tourism and many other organizations use this information for planning, education, and advocacy.
This month’s health focus topic is tobacco use among adult Kansans. Tobacco use causes premature death for almost half a million Americans each year, and it contributes to profound disability and pain for many others. Over 17% of adult Kansans smoke cigarettes which is higher than the national health target of 12%.
Learn more about this and other Kansas health indicators at KHM here.
Opportunities:
- Johnson County Dementia Resource Fair on April 21: Held at the JOCO Arts and Heritage Center (9:30 a.m. to 2:30pm), the fair is designed for caregivers, families, professionals, and community members seeking information, tools, and strategies related to dementia care. RSVP here.
- Million Moments for Maternal Mortality Prevention conference: Save the date for July 29-30 for KDHE’s Bureau of Family Health conference that addresses physical and maternal health, substance use and intimate partner violence. Held at Sporting Park in Kansas City with no registration fees, attend the conference with healthcare professionals, behavioral health providers and community partners. Sign up here for conference updates
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu
