KHF recognizes individuals’ health and well-being are also influenced by where and how they live. And stronger communities also help improve the health of Kansans. However, Kansas data indicates that individuals and groups that traditionally experience poor health outcomes may be less likely to participate in the election process, contact their elected officials or attend public meetings. Active, engaged community members help to shape policies, express needs and expectations, determine how resources are allocated, and elect their representatives. KHF invests in programs that help to build stronger communities and to encourage more Kansans to be civically engaged, and provides the support for leadership, information and data. The result is improved health outcomes for residents and healthy, vibrant communities for all.
Health outcomes in communities have been found to be higher in areas where populations are active and engaged in civic issues. One measure of this is voter turnout. The map below shows the unofficial voter turnout data, by county, from the 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election. This data comes from the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.
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Based on past data, voter turnout should trend higher across all counties during the 2020 Presidential Election. However, voter turnout in state or local elections is more indicative of the actual civic participation in a given community.
KHF’s objective for the Civic and Community Engagement impact area is: Strengthen the health and vitality of our communities by connecting more Kansans to democratic, civic and economic development processes. In 2021, KHF will be actively engaged in funding the following major initiatives in this impact area. Please note, the amounts indicated represent the total, multi-year commitment of these grants.
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