For Immediate Release
January 30, 2012
Partners Launch Kansas Health Matters
Tool Is One-Stop Shop for Accessing Health Data
TOPEKA, Kan.—The Web-based tool Kansas Health Matters is now available and can be accessed by anyone interested in actionable information for community health improvement in Kansas.
Kansas Health Matters, www.kansashealthmatters.org, is a website that contains county, regional and state health indicators. In addition, the site provides tools and resources for community health assessment and community health improvement efforts. The site is made possible by the Kansas Partnership for Improving Community Health.
“This is a valuable tool, not only for hospitals and health departments, but for community leaders as well,” said Tom Bell, President and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association. “Kansas Health Matters will help anyone looking to identify and understand the health indicators in their community, as well as provide them with tools and resources to support health improvement efforts.”
The site can be accessed by anyone; however, it is a key resource for communities conducting health needs assessments and evidence-based strategies in their efforts to address identified health problems.
The information system for Kansas Health Matters was designed by the Healthy Communities Institute, a California-based team of health care information technology experts who have created the nationwide Healthy Communities Network. Additional supports for community health assessment and community health improvement are made possible through collaboration with the University of Kansas Work Group for Community Health and Development. The Partnership was awarded a $163,000 grant in 2011 from the Kansas Health Foundation for website development and licensing.
“The implementation of Kansas Health Matters is another great example of how Kansas’ health community is leveraging partnerships to improve the state’s coordination of programs,” said Robert Moser, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary and State Health Officer. “Through this type of collaboration, we can break down silos and give local communities the tools they need to improve health outcomes.”
Kansas Health Matters can generate multiple data views such as comparing indicators to other regions in the state and displaying trends. Additionally, pertinent national and state health news will be available. No patient-level data will be distributed.
“While physicians and researchers have been able to access these data, Kansas Health Matters turns that data into useful information that communities and health care providers can research to identify and address the leading health concerns of their community,” said Moser.
Local health departments and hospitals were part of a soft launch for Kansas Health Matters at the end of 2011. Members of the Kansas Partnership for Improving Community Health conducted a series of educational webinars to demonstrate the site’s features and its intended use in supporting accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board.
“Having local data and regional comparison data at your fingertips is crucial to making good community decisions,” said Leslie Campbell of the Pottawatomie County Health Department. “These statistics help us shine a light on those areas that need improvement so we can better set our public health priorities.”