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.

Jan. 4, 2023

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.

The real people behind these numbers are what make the work ahead so critically important. Despite the challenges ahead, I remain optimistic that the health system can rise to the moment to address long-standing disparities and improve the health and well-being of all Americans, for this generation and the next.

— Patricia L. Lewis, Chief Sustainability Officer at UnitedHealth Group

View the Kansas state summary (pdf)

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.