Conditions and Diseases

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City supports many organizations with disease-specific missions. These organizations may target related diseases or conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, or they might focus on one disease such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. Their work may consist of research, education and advocacy, patient services and support, or a combination of services. Like much of the United States, our service area has high incidents of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and stroke. Many of the resources found below focus on these areas. For information on HPV, please see the Immunizations and Vaccines resources section.

News

Regional

National

  • Missouri seeks to tighten food stamp eligibility
    KMBC News, October 8, 2013
    2013-10-08 09:28
  • Coverage Gaps Can Hamper Access To Some Breast Cancer Screening, Care
    Kaiser Health News, May 27, 2013
    2013-05-28 10:03
  • New Study FindsType 1 Diabetes Up 70 Percent in Kids
    MSN News, February 8, 2013
    2013-02-08 09:07
More News

Resources

National

  • New Spanish-Language Guides Inform Decisions about Heart Disease and Other Illnesses

    AHRQ News, September 2011

  • application/pdf iconPrevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities

    Trust for America's Health, July 2008

  • Power to Prevent: A Family Lifestyles Approach to Diabetes Prevention

    A federal toolkit aiming to help African-American community leaders stem diabetes prevalence. The National Diabetes Education Program, February 2008

  • American Lung Association

    Working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research.

  • American Stroke Association

    Building healthier lives, free of stroke.

  • American Heart Association

    Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases.

  • American Diabetes Association

    Leading the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected.

  • National Cancer Institute

    The National Cancer Institute coordinates the National Cancer Program, which conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

  • American Cancer Society

    Saving lives by helping people stay well, get well, find cures, & fight back.

Regional

  • application/pdf iconHCF and REACH HPV Initiative Evaluation Summary

    Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and REACH Health Care Foundation.

  • Midwest Cancer Alliance

    The Midwest Cancer Alliance (MCA) brings cutting-edge clinical trials, the latest prevention and screening tools and continuing education opportunities throughout the region in an effort to provide access to the latest advancements close to home

  • Cancer Action

    A community based non-profit agency offering a comprehensive array of programs and services addressing the physical, social, emotional, financial and spiritual needs of persons with cancer, their family, and friends.

  • American Lung Association of the Central States

    Dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of lung disease, the third leading cause of death in the United States.

  • AIDS Service Foundation KC

    Works to raise money and awareness for organizations that provide shelter, medical care and emergency services for the more than 5,000 men, women and children in Kansas City affected by HIV/AIDS.

Facts

Regional

  • Cancer is the leading cause of death in Kansas City, Missouri, with lung cancer causing the most cancer deaths. Heart disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and stroke follow cancer as the leading causes of death in Kansas City.

    Community Health Assessment 2010, City of Kansas City Missouri

  • Kansas and Missouri’s diabetes rate are both near 8 percent. Kansas City, Missouri’s diabetes rate is just over 13 percent.

    statehealthfacts.org, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; Community Health Assessment 2010 - Diabetes, City of Kansas City Missouri

  • Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis remain STD risks. Missouri ranked 16th in the U.S. for Chlamydia infections and 14th for Gonorrhea and Syphilis.

    American Cancer Society, Economic Impact of Cancer: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/economic-impact-of-cancer

  • Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis remain STD risks. Missouri ranked 16th in the U.S. for Chlamydia infections and 14th for Gonorrhea and Syphilis.

National

  • This year, over 562,000 Americans are expected to die of cancer - that's more than 1,500 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. Cancer accounts for nearly 1 out of every 4 deaths in the United States.

    American Cancer Society, Economic Impact of Cancer: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/economic-impact-of-cancer

  • In 2008, the United States spent over $93 billion in direct medical costs on cancer, creating a direct economic impact of nearly $230 billion due to these costs and lost productivity due to illness and premature death.

    American Cancer Society, Economic Impact of Cancer: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerBasics/economic-impact-of-cancer

  • The death rate from heart diseases declined 27.8 percent from 1997 to 2007, and the stroke death rate fell 44.8 percent. However, during the same period, the total number of inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures increased 27 percent. This indicates that while people are living longer with heart disease due to advances and increases in treatment, the disease burden on the population is still very high.

    American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2011

  • The estimated total cost from heart disease and stroke in the United States for 2007 (including health expenditures and lost productivity) was $286 billion.

    American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2011

  • More than 1.1 million Americans are infected with HIV, yet it’s estimated that 21% of these individuals are unaware of their HIV positive status. Someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV every 9½ minutes.

    HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, November 2010

  • In 2007, 23.6 million Americans, or 7.8% of the population had diabetes.

    National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2007. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

From the Blogs

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