Kansas Health Institute

👟Happy National Walking Day! To celebrate, we took our walk inside with a team-wide scavenger hunt! Take time today to step outside, stretch your legs and invest in your health. Even a short walk can have meaningful benefits - improving circulation, supporting heart health, reducing stress and boosting your overall mood. Walking is also a great way to increase energy levels, enhance focus and encourage creativity throughout the day. Whether it’s a quick lap between meetings, a longer stroll during lunch or an indoor scavenger hunt, we encourage everyone to take a few moments today to get walking. #NationalWalkingDay #KsHealth

📝The @CDCgov has released its AI strategy along with a suite of resources outlining its vision for AI in public health—featuring real-world success stories and practical tools for partners. Thanks to the CDC team for their work on this. KHI is excited to have our work featured on the Considerations for Generative AI in Public Health page as part of the resources available on the CDC’s website. The guidance, Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policies for Public Health Organizations, offers actionable approaches to building AI policies that enable safe and effective use of AI in public health. Supported by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant, this work reflects the value of PHIG in strengthening public health infrastructure and advancing innovation. @NNPHI_ORG Thank you to our partner organizations, Health Resources in Action and Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, for their contributions to this work. Check out these resources today. To read the CDC page, visit cdc.gov/ai/resources/c… #PHIG #EthicalAI #AIPolicy #AIinPublicHealth #AIforGood #ResponsibleAI

Welcome, Madison Hoover! 🎉 KHI is excited to welcome our newest team member, Madison! In her role as an analyst, Madison will contribute her expertise in data management and statistical analysis to support work in areas such as state and federal health policy, access to care and population health. Madison is no stranger to KHI. She previously worked with us, supporting a wide range of projects by managing and analyzing complex datasets. Her strong analytical skills, attention to detail and passion for data to inform meaningful change make her a very valuable addition to our team. We’re excited to have Madison back at KHI and look forward to the insights and impact she will bring. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! To learn more about Madison, visit khi.org/team/madison-h…

👋Be sure to stop by the Kansas Health Institute booth today and tomorrow at the 2026 Kansas Governor's Public Health Conference, in Wichita! Look for our presenters on the agenda! #KansasPublicHealth #KansasHealth

On April 2, KHI senior analyst and strategy team leader, Sheena Schmidt, will be contributing to an in-depth discussion on the future of health care in Kansas as part of the Dole Institute's Spring Student Advisory Board (SAB) program. The Effects of Federal Health Policy on Kansas will explore how recent federal initiatives, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the new Rural Health Transformation Program, may shape Kansas’ health care landscape. Sheena will be joining SAB coordinator, Abbie Clements, and President and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, David Jordan, in this discussion. To learn more about this event, visit doleinstitute.org/event/the-effe… #KsHealth #PublicHealth

In case you missed it: Learn how Kansas hospitals are advancing nutrition and food access. In late 2025, Healthworks, the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Kansas Health Institute released a brief examining how Kansas hospitals address nutrition and food access, highlighting hospitals’ role, persistent barriers and opportunities for partnerships and policy change. Hospital Efforts to Improve Access to Healthy Foods: khi.org/articles/hospi… #KSLeg, #KSHealth #KansasHealth #HealthyFoodAccess #HospitalLeadership @KDHE , @kansashospitals

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Public health isn’t built on messaging alone—it grows in everyday moments ☕🏟️ In coffee shops, at games and in the spaces where real conversations happen. When people feel seen and heard, public health becomes personal—and that’s where lasting impact begins 🤝 Explore how authentic connection makes the difference in the latest from the Kansas Health Institute’s #PublicHealth blog 👇 khi.org/articles/authe… #PublicHealth #HealthCommunication #CommunityHealth #PublicHealthMatters

🏛️ During Week 10, which started March 16, the Kansas Legislature worked bills addressing: 🔷 Family foster home licensing and Home Plus capacity 🔷 Nursing regulation and qualifications for instructors 🔷 App oversight, public assistance data sharing and school safety drills Several bills were forwarded to Gov. Laura Kelly for approval. Learn more in our latest edition of Health at the Capitol: khi.org/articles/week-… #KSLeg #KSHealth

KHI President and CEO, Kari Bruffett, joined the Kansas Health Foundations’ Ed O’Malley and Susan Kang on the fourth episode of the podcast 🎙️ Leading Health. Chapter 4: Kansas at 29th breaks down Kansas’ latest ranking in America’s Health Rankings, exploring what’s driving the state’s current position. Bruffett, O’Malley and Kang discuss leadership and tough interpretations of data - emphasizing the importance of reimagining. 🎧To listen to Chapter 4 of Leading Health, visit kansashealth.org/2026/03/24/lea… #PublicHealth #KsHealth @kansashealthorg

🏛️Recent federal health policy updates: 🔷 The Trump administration created a task force led by Vice President JD Vance to investigate and address fraud in federal benefit programs 🔷 A federal judge blocked changes to the childhood immunization schedule and stayed advisory committee appointments 🔷 Federal agencies advanced nutrition training in medical schools Learn more about this and other health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas. 📰 khi.org/articles/updat… #KsHealth #KsLeg #FederalHealthPolicy #HillToTheHeartland

🏛️ With First Adjournment less than three weeks away, lawmakers advanced bills the week of March 9, including: 🔷 Remote practice of pharmacy 🔷 Home Plus capacity 🔷 Foster home licensure 🔷 Nursing oversight 🔷 Public assistance eligibility Learn more in our latest edition of Health at the Capitol: 📰 khi.org/articles/week-… #KSLeg #KSHealth

🏛 During Week 8, which began March 2, the Kansas Legislature resumed a full schedule of bill and informational hearings. Lawmakers worked bills addressing: 🔷 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) income eligibility 🔷 Scope of practice for physical therapists and pharmacists 🔷 Interstate compact for the placement of children 🔷 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensing requirements 🔷 Custody authority for minors Learn more! khi.org/articles/week-… #KSLeg #KSHealth #Nursing @KDHE

🍽️ Bring It Finale | March 10 Turning Health Policy Insights into Action Wrap up the Bring It series by focusing on what comes next — how to apply health policy insights, data and conversations to real-world decision-making and action. 🕛 Noon–1 p.m. CST | Virtual 👉 Register here: khi.org/view-all-event… #BringIt #HealthPolicy #KansasHealth #PublicHealth #ksleg

🎉Happy National Employee Appreciation Day! At the heart of our mission to improve health in Kansas is our extraordinary team of employees. Their commitment to education, research, innovation and service fuels the conversations and learning that lead to meaningful change. Today we acknowledge the expertise, collaboration and dedication they bring to our shared vision of a healthier Kansas. We are proud to recognize and celebrate their contributions, today and always. ✨ #EmployeeAppreciationDay #PublicHealth #KansasHealth

🏛 Recent federal health policy updates: 🔹 HHS appointed new members to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and rescheduled its February meeting. 🔹 The Trump administration announced a nationwide crackdown on Medicare and Medicaid fraud. 🔹 Surgeon general nominee Dr. Casey Means appeared before the Senate HELP Committee for a confirmation hearing. Read more about health-related news we are watching: khi.org/articles/updat… #KsHealth #KsLeg #FederalHealthPolicy #HillToTheHeartland