A Worship Resource for Election Season Many factors drive or determine health – how safe you feel in your community, access to parks, healthy food, high quality early learning and education, and availability of health care providers and good paying jobs. These social factors will impact how healthy your community is and how healthy you …
News
Learn more about things happening at the Health Fund, and in our areas of focus
Tending the Civic Soil
Healthy Congregations Webinar: Healthy Start to ’22
The past two years have been difficult. Many people have experienced a toll on their physical, mental and spiritual health. The new year is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how your church can impact the health of your congregation and community. View the recording from our live webinar held on January 6, …
Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage in Kansas will improve health of mother and infant
This opinion piece by Health Fund President and CEO David Jordan and Topeka Public Schools Superintendent Tiffany Anderson originally appeared in the The Topeka Capital-Journal on December 21, 2021. Kansas can improve future health outcomes for families by extending health care for new mothers and infants. Unfortunately, significant racial disparities exist in maternal and child …
Health Fund Celebrates 35 Years and $75 Million
This year, like last, challenged all of us to adapt and to navigate new challenges and, in some cases, loss. However, we also saw progress in 2021. As we reflect on 2021 and look forward to 2022, it is important to celebrate. At the Health Fund, we celebrated two major milestones. We turned 35, and …
Organizations Urge Kansas Senate Delegation to Support Health Provisions in Build Back Better Act
As many Kansans struggle with the high costs of everyday bills like health care, child care and food, the United States Senate is debating the Build Back Better Act, which could help make health care and child care more affordable for Kansas families. In Kansas, nearly 1 in 10 adults (9.1%) is uninsured and more …
High 5 Welcome to Cara and Thank You to Gwen
After 10 years of dedicated service as the High 5 for Mom & Baby Program Coordinator, Gwen Whittit will retire December 31. Through Gwen’s leadership and support from the Kansas Breastfeeding Workgroup, High 5 for Mom & Baby has flourished into a robust program for maternity care facilities to improve infant and maternal health outcomes by …
Groups Urge Committee to Support Postpartum Coverage
29 Organizations Signed a Letter Urging the KanCare Oversight Committee to Support Extending Postpartum Coverage to 12 Months Today, the Health Fund and its partners sent a letter to the Robert G. Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight urging the committee to support extending postpartum KanCare coverage to 12 …
Faith In Vaccines Lay Toolkit
Empathetic conversations are key for COVID-19 vaccination. The holidays are approaching again and COVID-19 cases are trending upward. Unlike last year, the COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available for ages 5 and up, as well as booster shots for all adults. Vaccination can be a difficult topic; empathy is critical for successful conversations about COVID-19 …
ROI in Rural America: Increasing Kansans’ Access to Care
Through technical assistance, Kansas organizations received nearly $15 million in federal grants Nearly one in three Kansans live in rural and frontier communities. These communities face unique healthcare challenges, such as accessibility, lack of providers, and an aging population. The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (Health Fund) supports innovative, collaborative initiatives for the health and …
As simple as ABC: Evidence-based program improves children’s heath, parental confidence
This opinion piece by Health Fund President and CEO David Jordan and Katie Schoenhoff, director of programs, originally appeared in the Kansas Reflector on Tuesday, November 9. A child’s earliest years have a lifelong impact. Nearly 80% of brain development occurs by age 3. Having a healthy start affects health, educational attainment and earnings throughout …