The greatest health strengths and challenges in Kansas
The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Kansas.
Kansas is ranked 31st in the country for overall health – a slight decline from a ranking of 29 in 20191 – according to America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report. Below is a summary of the positive and negative factors that contributed to this ranking.2
Kansas health strengths
- Low prevalence of frequent physical distress
- Low percentage of low birthweight infants
- Low Black/white residential segregation
- 22% increase in firearm deaths from 14 to 17.1 deaths per 100,000 population between 2019 and 2020
- 22% increase in asthma from 8.7% to 10.6% of adults between 2015 and 2021
Kansas health challenges
- High prevalence of excessive drinking
- High occupational fatality rate
- High levels of air pollution
- 29% increase in mental health providers from 181.4 to 234.1 per 100,000 population between 2017 and 2022
What this means for employers
Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Kansas may want to consider programs or benefits that can help support their employee population and guide them to better health decisions.
Learn more about the factors impacting the health of Kansas.
Breaking down the findings from America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report
The latest findings highlight some of the greatest health challenges and strengths across the nation, with racial and ethnic disparities coming into sharp focus.