March 19, 2025 Story by: Editor
A recent review of health data in Kansas has highlighted significant disparities in mortality rates among Black Kansans compared to both the overall state population and national averages.
However, a fragmented data landscape has made it difficult to compile a comprehensive and accurate picture of Black health in the state. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to address these disparities and improve health outcomes for all Kansans.
Why This Matters
Health data serve as a crucial tool for identifying inequities and shaping effective interventions. However, in Kansas, relevant health data for Black residents are dispersed across multiple sources, making it challenging to develop a centralized and accessible overview. The REACH Healthcare Foundation and its partners have recognized the need for a consolidated approach to health data to better inform public health strategies.
Documenting health trends among Black Kansans is critical for several reasons:
- Promoting Health Equity – Data can expose significant disparities and inform targeted efforts to enhance health outcomes across the state.
- Shaping Policy – Findings offer a crucial evidence base for policies addressing health care and broader social determinants of health.
- Empowering Communities – A well-structured data system can equip local organizations with the information needed to advocate for changes that directly address the specific health challenges of Black Kansans.
Key Findings
An analysis of the ten leading causes of death in Kansas—heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, suicide, and kidney disease—revealed that Black Kansans experience higher mortality rates in seven of the nine major categories compared to the general Kansas population. These disparities indicate deep-rooted health inequities that require immediate attention.
Methodology
To conduct the review, researchers utilized both primary and secondary health data sources that include county-level health metrics for Black Kansans. Data sources such as Kansas Health Matters, the American Community Survey, the Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and HDPulse were analyzed to assess racial disparities in cause-specific mortality and social determinants of health, including access to health insurance and other key factors.
These findings underscore the necessity of comprehensive data collection and analysis to drive meaningful policy changes and improve health equity in Kansas.
Source: Urban Institute
