Local Health Buzz

The truth about mental illness

Post date: May 13, 2014 4:19 PM
Submitted by natasha on May 13, 2014 4:19 PM

Theresa Presley MSW, LCSW, RPT, CTS, and Community Services Director at Pathways Community Health chats with Tonia Wright about the impact of mental health stigma.

Q: Where are we in the fight against mental health stigma?
A: It’s human nature to fear what we don’t understand. We know that stigma is based on lies, but it’s also built within a social context and permeates throughout our relationships.

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Missouri Drug Court: Rebuilding lives and reducing crime

Post date: May 13, 2014 9:42 AM
Submitted by natasha on May 13, 2014 9:42 AM

By Stephanie Boyer, Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services, and Manager of the Probation Office for the Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Court

Envision parents once weakened by drugs restored and reconnecting with their children. Imagine a previously unemployed substance abuser learning new job skills or obtaining a GED. Picture someone thanking, even hugging, the police officer who arrested them because that is what put them on the road to recovery.

I have experienced this and more while working in Drug Court, one of Kansas City, Missouri’s three problem-solving courts that focus on treatment rather than incarceration.

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Here are the 5 E's in cycling that you should know

Post date: May 7, 2014 12:49 PM
Submitted by natasha on May 7, 2014 12:49 PM

By Eric Rogers, executive director of BikeWalkKC & Kansas City B-cycle

bannerweb_0.pngMay is Bike Month around the United States, and here in Kansas City. BikeWalkKC works with the Mid-America Regional Council and many other community partners to produce a wide range of events showcasing Kansas City’s diverse and growing bike communities.

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Is your nonprofit ready to tackle advocacy?

Post date: April 29, 2014 11:29 AM
Submitted by natasha on April 29, 2014 11:29 AM

Melinda Lewis-Edits-0004 copy.jpgBy Melinda Lewis, associate professor of practice in the KU School of Social Welfare; consultant to area nonprofits around social services and social change

Nonprofit organizations recognize today that, for better and for worse, it’s not enough to ‘just’ provide quality programs. If they are going to have a lasting and profound impact on the problems they confront, they will also need to advocate for improvements in the social conditions that create and perpetuate the needs to which those services then try to respond.

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Big Tobacco’s new frontier: The buzz on e-cigarettes

Post date: April 28, 2014 9:31 PM
Submitted by natasha on April 28, 2014 9:31 PM

By Traci Kennedy, director of Tobacco Free Missouri

Legislation moving through the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate raises questions about how to best protect our youth from the dangers of e-cigarettes.

The language in HB 1690 and SB 841 mirrors bills that were written by tobacco industry lobbyists and circulated in various states. At first glance, it seems to be a genuine attempt to protect youth under age 18 from purchasing e-cigarettes.

In reality, these laws would create special product definitions for e-cigarettes outside of those that are already established for traditional tobacco products.

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Shoppers at Missouri farmers markets could get more green if bills pass

Post date: April 24, 2014 10:43 AM
Submitted by natasha on April 24, 2014 10:43 AM

By Ashley Jones-Wisner, state policy manager of KC Healthy Kids

Visit the La Chalupa Farmers Market in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast neighborhood on a Thursday afternoon this summer, and you’re bound to see piles of fresh, colorful produce. You’ll see friends greeting each other with smiles and hugs. You’ll see kids pestering their parents for cherry tomatoes.

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Medicaid expansion: A pro-growth policy for Kansas

Post date: April 23, 2014 2:09 PM
Submitted by natasha on April 23, 2014 2:09 PM

By Annie McKay, Executive Director of Kansas Center for Economic Growth

KS Center for Economic Growth_Medicaid Expansion InfographicIn Kansas, there’s been a lot of debate about our economy and the best approach to growing jobs, increasing revenue and bringing prosperity to the state.

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HCF's Local Health Buzz Blog aims to discuss health and health policy issues that impact the uninsured and underserved in our service area. To submit a blog, please contact HCF Communications Officers, Jennifer Sykes, at jsykes@hcfgkc.org.

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About Bridget's Blog

Bridget McCandless

Bridget McCandless, MD, MBA, FACP, HCF President/CEO

Bridget McCandless is the President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Specialist with an interest in chronic disease management and poverty medicine. She shares her thoughts and perspectives on health and policy issues that impact the health of the community as a whole.

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