KC Health Collaborative

Health equity is a commitment to breaking barriers. In 1951, Queen of the World Hospital became Kansas City’s first integrated hospital when segregation still defined healthcare. While Black doctors and nurses were denied training at white hospitals, this institution provided medical education and care for all, paving the way for a more inclusive system. This hospital’s roots trace back to St. Vincent’s Maternity Hospital, which was originally part of St. Anthony’s Home for Infants, established in 1899 to care for abandoned children. By 1955, under the leadership of Bishop Edwin O’Hara, Queen of the World Hospital was born and offered a groundbreaking model of racial integration in healthcare. Despite its closure in 1965, its impact was undeniable. Queen of the World set the stage for desegregation in medical institutions across Kansas City and beyond. While we’re still working to advance equitable access to healthcare, history reminds us that progress happens when people challenge the status quo. Let’s honor Queen of the World’s legacy by continuing to push for equal care, representation, and investment in underserved communities. Join us to make this goal a reality. Let’s get to work. #healthequity #kansascity #desegregation #healthcare

Protecting health research is protecting our future. Cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding threaten patient care and local economies. The NIH fuels life-saving research that has transformed medicine. Its grants have advanced treatments for premature infants, developed breakthrough cancer therapies, and driven innovation in countless other medical fields. Missouri and Kansas receive nearly $1 billion in NIH funding, supporting thousands of jobs, hospitals, and research institutions. These investments save lives and stimulate economic growth. Proposed federal budget cuts could derail medical breakthroughs, putting patient's lives at risk. Health equity depends on continued investment in research. We must urge policymakers to protect NIH funding because cutting research today costs lives tomorrow. Join us as we work to ensure every BODY has access to quality medical care. Let’s get to work. #protectinghealth #protecthealth #healthresearch #nihfunding #healthequity

Health equity means every BODY counts. Whether it’s a lack of access to preventive care, the financial burden of medical services, or implicit biases in treatment, barriers create real consequences for real people. Too often, systemic gaps in healthcare leave underrepresented communities behind. Health equity recognizes and addresses the barriers that prevent people from accessing the care they need, regardless of geography, race, income, gender, or background. We have the power to create change. By advocating for inclusive policies and expanding access to care, we can build a future where every BODY is considered. Join us to help provide healthcare that serves everyone. Because no one should be left behind when it comes to their health. Let’s get to work. #healthequity #lackofaccess #healthcare #kansascity

Women’s health has been overlooked for far too long. From gaps in medical research, where women have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials, to the Black maternal mortality crisis, the disparities are undeniable. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, and infant mortality rates remain disproportionately high in Black communities. These aren’t just statistics. They are preventable injustices. Every woman, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, deserves to receive comprehensive, evidence-based, and culturally competent care. This requires funding women-specific medical research, addressing implicit bias in healthcare, and expanding access to maternal and reproductive care. This Women's Month, we honor the women who have fought for better healthcare and recommit ourselves to building a system that works for all women. When we invest in women’s health, we invest in a stronger future for everyone. Let's get to work. #clinicaltrials #maternalmortality #goodhealthcare #womenswomen #healthequity

“We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but also the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.” - Shirley Chisholm This statement demonstrates the importance of challenging both external biases and internalized prejudices. Systemic disparities in healthcare often stem from ingrained stereotypes and biases, perpetuating unequal access to quality care. It's important that we confront these prejudices head-on, advocating for equitable treatment and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. Join us to dismantle stereotypes and build a healthcare system that prioritizes fairness, dignity, and respect for every individual's unique needs and experiences. Let’s get to work. #healthequity #kansascity #qualitycare #healthcare

In a groundbreaking step toward improving health equity, Kansas Department of Health and Environment has secured over $6.4 million from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program. This funding will directly address potential lead hazards in approximately 170 homes, prioritizing low-income, minority neighborhoods where children under six are most at risk. Exposure to lead is a public health crisis that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. By remediating lead hazards, the city is taking measurable steps to close gaps in health disparities, ensuring that every child in Kansas City can grow up in a safe and healthy home. This program further invests in our community by offering free training for 100 local contractors and Job Corps students, creating a workforce equipped to manage lead hazards safely. “When we address lead hazards, we are not just repairing homes—we are protecting the health and safety of our children and families,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. Starting in January 2025, eligible property owners can apply for free or subsidized repairs, ensuring cost isn’t a barrier to creating safe environments for families. This health equity initiative, supported by key partners like Kansas State University , Children's Mercy Kansas City , and Urban Neighborhood Initiative , supports thriving communities and safeguards children’s futures. Dr. Marvia D. Jones, PhD, MPH, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Director, vision for the department is to continue to develop innovative and responsive strategies for public health needs that center the many different communities we serve. This program is doing just that. Together, we can create a healthier, more equitable Kansas City one home at a time. Join us. Let’s get to work. #safehousing #healthequity #kansascity #HUD

Health and safety are inextricably tied. Without a safe environment, health deteriorates. Domestic violence survivors, or those who do not live in safe homes, experience higher levels of asthma, chronic pain, diabetes, and mental health issues. To help “solve” domestic violence and take the emotion out of decision making, Spanish police created an algorithm, VioGén, to assess the risk of repeat attacks in domestic violence cases. It was intended to supplement human oversight with technological assistance. Even the most advanced technology can fail the people it is designed to protect. While this algorithm has reduced repeat violence overall, there are instances, where the system has miscalculated the level of danger, leading to deaths. AI and algorithms, no matter how well-intended, can be infected with the same biases that impact humans and healthcare. If we are to make progress, we must ensure that tools like VioGén are regularly audited for bias and that those tasked with interpreting these systems are thoroughly trained, understanding when to override an algorithm’s answer. Most importantly, the voices of victims must be prioritized at every step of the process. Health equity is about closing the gap. We must ensure no more women fall through the cracks. Partner with us and our members including CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, First Call , and the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness to help women and advance health equity. Let’s get to work. #domesticviolence #safehomes #healthequity #kansascity

Missouri, and the country, is facing a potential healthcare crisis. Congress is currently debating a budget that could significantly impact Medicaid, the joint state-federal program that protects low-income Americans.?If the proposed Medicaid funding cut is enacted, 225,000 Missourians could lose coverage, and the state stands to lose $13.5 billion in federal funding. These cuts would hit those in underserved and rural communities, where Medicaid is often the only access to care. The government recently approved a historic resolution to cut $2 trillion in spending over the next decade, including $880 billion from the Committee that oversees healthcare funding. The full impact on Medicaid remains unclear, but significant changes are inevitable. Medicaid is a lifeline for families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It helps community health centers, which are the only healthcare providers in some rural areas. To paraphrase Qiana Thomason, Wil Franklin, MS, LPC , and Jeron Ravin, JD, colleagues and partners in the important work of advancing quality healthcare for everyone, this is not about them, it is about us. For example, here’s what’s at stake in Missouri’s congressional districts: ?? MO-01 (St. Louis metro area): 157K people on Medicaid → $1.9B lost ?? MO-02 (St. Louis metro area): 59K people on Medicaid → $747M lost ?? MO-03 (Columbia & Jefferson City): 100K people on Medicaid → $1.26B lost ?? MO-04 (West-Central M)): 146K people on Medicaid → $1.84B lost ?? MO-05 (Kansas City metro area): 135K on Medicaid → $1.7B lost ?? MO-06 (Northeastern MO): 119K people on Medicaid →?$1.5B lost ?? MO-07 (Springfield, Joplin, and Branson metros): 172K people on Medicaid → $2.1B lost ?? MO-08 (MO Bootheel): 183K people on Medicaid → $2.3B lost Quality healthcare requires access. Access to care is not a political issue. It is an issue of humanity. We urge you to call/email your Congressional members to demand they protect Medicaid and the communities it protects. Join us as we work to ensure every BODY in our community receives the care they deserve. Let’s get to work. #medicaid #kansascity #healthequity #healthoutcome

We are experiencing a maternal mortality crisis. And it disproportionately affects Black and brown communities. While global maternal mortality rates have fallen by 34% since 2000, the U.S. is moving in the opposite direction. During COVID, maternal mortality rates surged by an alarming 40%. But these statistics only tell part of the story. The CDC reports that 84% of all pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. This means we're losing mothers to conditions we know how to prevent. There is a disparity in our maternal healthcare system. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. While the average U.S. maternal mortality rate is 24 deaths per 100,000 live births, for Black women, it's 55 deaths per 100,000. It’s time for change. Mothers and babies deserve more. Join us to make this change a reality. Let’s get to work. --- *Data sourced from CDC reports and comparative healthcare studies on maternal mortality rates. #maternalmortality #maternalhealthcare #blackwomen #healthequity #kansascity

Clinical trials create medical innovation, but they have long lacked diversity in participation, leading to treatments that may not serve all communities equitably. The FDA’s recent push for more equitable inclusion in clinical trials is a promising step forward, and it’s gaining support from organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA). As AMA CEO James L. Madara, MD, notes, increasing diversity in clinical trials is critical to ensuring that study outcomes are relevant and applicable to the entire population, not just a subset. Differences in genetics, cultural practices, and social drivers of health influence how patients respond to medications or treatments. Without diverse trial participants, we risk creating therapies that leave many populations underserved or misrepresented. For instance, broader racial categories like "Asian" or "American Indian/Alaska Native" fail to capture important nuances. Disaggregating these categories, such as distinguishing between “Chinese” and “Korean,” or identifying specific tribal affiliations like “Navajo Nation,” can lead to more precise data and better-targeted treatments. The AMA has provided actionable suggestions to strengthen the FDA’s diversity-action plans: - Refining Enrollment Goals: Improved data collection and disaggregation will allow researchers to see how treatments affect specific subgroups, not just broad categories. - Engaging Priority Populations: Early involvement of community leaders, advocacy groups, and local health organizations can build trust and address misconceptions about clinical research. - Long-Term Commitment: Diversity efforts must extend beyond trials to include post-market surveillance, ensuring treatments remain effective across demographic groups after they are approved. Including diverse populations in medical research ensures that the therapies of tomorrow are designed to serve all of us, not just a few. Achieving equity in clinical trials is more than a regulatory checkbox. Health outcomes improve when clinical trials reflect the diversity of the communities they aim to serve Join us to ensure every BODY’s future is considered. Let’s get to work.