Johnson County ranks No. 1 in Kansas in health report. Wyandotte among worst. Here’s why
Massive health disparities continue to persist between No. 1 ranked Johnson County and Wyandotte County, which scored among the worst in Kansas, a new report shows.
Counties across the nation were assessed in the annual County Health Rankings report which was released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
“The rankings help us understand what influences how long and how well we live,” the report said. “Our data show how these factors shape community conditions, while highlighting the stark differences in health that stem from injustices and barriers to opportunity.”
Wyandotte County ranked 102nd in health outcomes and last in Kansas for health factors. Meanwhile bordering Johnson County ranked first in both categories.
Health outcomes is defined as the overall health of a county. The health factor category looks at measures that impact the future health of communities like high school graduation rates and access to nutritious food.
In every report since 2016, Wyandotte County has ranked among the worst counties in the state. In that same time period, Johnson County earned the top spot in both categories.
Other counties in the Kansas City metro area like Leavenworth County came in at 13th in health outcomes and 45th for health factors. Miami County was No. 6 for health outcomes and 26th in health factors.
The report said that economic security — housing, education, childcare, food and medical care — is key to thriving communities. But it’s not equally accessible, according to the report.
“When a single household expense consumes the majority of a paycheck, it becomes difficult to meet competing needs and can force households into tough decisions like choosing between quality childcare, paying rent, and purchasing nutritious food,” the report said. “Advancing a just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the layered impacts of racism and economic exclusion requires intentional action to ensure all people and places have what they need to thrive.”
The health disparities between Wyandotte and Johnson counties illustrates how economic security can impact health and communities of color.
Wyandotte County is the most diverse county in the state: 40% of residents are white, 29% are Hispanic and 21% are Black, according to census data.
Seventy-nine percent of Johnson County’s residents are white.
The report also compares statewide data with the U.S. In Kansas, 36% of adults are obese compared to 32% in the country. Seventy-three percent of Kansans have adequate access to locations for physical activity, compared to 80% nationwide. The state is on par with the rest of the country in areas including exposure to air pollution, excessive drinking and the rate of those without health insurance.
