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Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
KHDE awards funding to KU program for sexual assault prevention initiative
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment awarded a grant to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program at KU for a new prevention initiative that will extend beyond just the university.
KHDE awards funding to KU program for sexual assault prevention initiative
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment awarded a grant to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Education Program at KU for a new prevention initiative that will extend beyond just the university.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
Kansas settles case exposing long psychiatric care wait times for inmates
Kansas officials have settled a lawsuit over delays in providing mental health evaluations and treatment for incarcerated individuals in county jails.
Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Lawrence, Baldwin events to highlight suicide prevention, support survivors of suicide loss
An upcoming panel in Lawrence and a supportive event in Baldwin City will focus on suicide prevention, as well as remembering loved ones lost to suicide.
The CDC wants more Kansas farm workers to get their flu shots this season
The falling temperatures also signal the thick fog of flu season. But in rural areas of Kansas, people are less likely to get vaccinated for the flu. This year, that has health care professionals worried, specifically for those who work with livestock.
Kansas suicide and crisis hotline sees post-election spike
The state suicide and crisis hotline received a record number of calls a day following the election, with LGBTQ+ and Spanish-speaking lines seeing especially high traffic.
Kansans support marijuana legalization, but lawmakers won’t bite
A wide majority of Kansans support legalizing medical and recreational marijuana, but a group of legislators assigned to weigh medical marijuana legalization declined to push the issue in the 2025 session.
Survey finds most Kansans support Medicaid expansion and abortion access
More than 7 in 10 Kansans support expanding Medicaid, according to a new survey, and more than 6 in 10 Kansans say women are better-positioned than politicians to make the decision about whether to get an abortion.
Psychiatric care in Kansas inaccessible to kids who need it most, study finds
The number of psychiatric treatment beds for kids in Kansas has increased overall in the past five years, but those with specialized needs continue to face hurdles when accessing care, a recent state study found.
Options for a natural birth dwindle in Kansas after a major birthing center closes; Lawrence center to open soon
Birthing centers, which offer natural, low-intervention births to low-risk moms, are becoming more popular. Regardless of demand, they’re struggling to stay open, but a new one is slated to open in Lawrence soon.
New KU research center will focus on health equity and access
Researchers at the KU School of Social Welfare are looking to solve health equity and access issues at a new Center for the Advancement of Health Equity. Their goal is to approach health disparities through a social work lens.
Kansas child death report highlights fentanyl death ‘surge,’ child welfare woes
The number of Kansas children who died from fentanyl overdoses reached a three-year high in 2022, according to an annual report on child deaths statewide, which highlighted the need for preventative services and improvements to Kansas’ child welfare system.
Kansas voters signal measured support of abortion rights ahead of fall election in new survey
A plurality of Kansas voters say it’s a good thing that the state is a regional abortion access point, according to a survey by the Midwest Newsroom and Emerson College Polling Center.
Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission candidates share varying views on their prospective roles in public health
Douglas County Commission candidates said during a forum Thursday evening that the community has existing resources in place to fill gaps in access to health care and preventive care but better education and leadership are required.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission candidates to participate in public health forum
During a forum Thursday, candidates vying for seats on the Douglas County Commission will field questions related to public health.
LDCFM’s Mobile Integrated Health team shares progress update
The Mobile Integrated Health team, which includes two Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical technicians, aims to meet people where they are and help them with their medical needs to avoid use of emergency services in the future.
Kansas mental health ranking improves, but numbers for young people worsen
Kansas ranked worst in the nation for mental illness prevalence and mental health care access in a 2023 report, but new data shows the state’s ranking significantly improved this year.
