By Katie Schoenhoff, Director of Programs Happy National Breastfeeding Month. As we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month, we are reminded of the gains achieved and the work ahead in helping ensure that breastfeeding’s numerous health benefits are available to all mothers and children. At the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, we have worked to support breastfeeding …
News
Learn more about things happening at the Health Fund, and in our areas of focus
Kansas’ breastfeeding journey: reflections and the road ahead
Using Proven Early Childhood Interventions to Combat ACEs
This piece originally appeared in the Kansas Child summer 2022 issue. David Jordan is president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. It’s true what they say: children don’t come with an instruction manual. These days, many families are struggling to feel successful raising their children while also coping with the many demands …
God’s Temple: Health and Holiness in the Body of Christ
Our health is strongly influenced by a combination of biological, social, and environmental factors beyond our control: the conditions in our communities, the schools in our neighborhoods, the availability of healthy food and good jobs, and how close we are to hospitals and clinics. As we continue to explore what it means to be healthy, …
Right now is the right time to vaccinate your child against COVID-19
This opinion piece originally appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal on July 1, 2022. Gretchen Homan, M.D., is president of the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and former chair of the Immunize Kansas Coalition. David Jordan is president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund in Hutchinson. Pictured above is Elise, …
Bridging the digital divide can reduce gaps between Kansas communities
This commentary originally ran in the Kansas Reflector on June 23, 2022. About the authors: Dr. Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Topeka USD 501, and Dr. Shannon Portillo, associate dean and professor at the University of Kansas, served as co-chairs of the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice; David Jordan, president and CEO of the …
Let the Little Children: The Body of Christ and Childhood Health and Well-Being
The Health Fund believes that investing in early childhood development leads to the best health outcomes and the greatest return on investment. Research has shown that well-designed early childhood interventions can provide the support necessary to foster healthy brain growth and buffer children from the effects of adverse childhood experiences. We have learned that with …
Sermon Workshop: Connecting Faith and Health
The Health Fund hosted a free online sermon workshop: “Connecting Faith and Health: A Sermon-Planning Workshop for Preaching with Impact.” The Health Fund is dedicated to improving the health and wholeness of Kansans. Over the past year, the Health Fund has worked in partnership with Lisa Hancock, PhD, to develop a series of sermon guides …
Strengthening behavioral health access will help Kansans and address disparities
This commentary originally ran in the Kansas Reflector on June 2, 2022. About the authors: Dr. Tiffany Anderson, superintendent of Topeka USD 501, and Dr. Shannon Portillo, associate dean and professor at the University of Kansas, served as co-chairs of the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice; David Jordan, president and CEO of the …
GNE Alumni Opportunity
Healthy Congregations churches that have completed the Good Neighbor Experiment (GNE) are invited to continue their asset-based work in a new phase of GNE. The Good Neighbor Experiment has created an opportunity for GNE alumni churches to continue their work of neighboring and strengthening communities. GNE is accepting applications for their FAN (Faith-Based Animator Network) …
Faith in Vaccines Resources
The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund (Health Fund) has launched a “Faith in Vaccines” campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccination and help ensure Kansas families are as prepared and protected as possible against emerging COVID-19 variants. The campaign has highlighted the efficacy of the current vaccines and has included voices from trusted sources, such as pediatricians, …