What would it look like if Kansas became the healthiest state in the nation — and what would it take to get there?In Chapter 5 of Leading Health, we cast a bold vision of what Kansas at #1 in America’s Health Rankings could mean for real people. It would look like fewer Kansans going hungry, more kids reading at grade level, and hundreds of thousands fewer people struggling with substance use, just to name a few. We're joined by Kenny Wilk, former Kansas legislator and member of the Kansas Board of Regents, and now Vice President of Governmental and Community Affairs at the University of Kansas Health System. Alongside Ed and Susan, he shares what it means to cast a vision bold enough to be risky, and why that's exactly what leadership requires.HighlightsIn 1991, Kansas was ranked #8 in America’s Health Rankings. Over the next 30 years, we’ve drastically slipped to our lowest at #31 and today, #27. Our goal is #1. If Kansas matched New Hampshire (currently #1), 105,000 fewer Kansans would face food insecurity, 32,000 more kids would read at grade level by 4th grade, 173,000 more Kansans would exercise regularly, and 183,000 fewer Kansans would engage in non-medical drug use.The distinction between capital H Health (everything that helps people thrive) and lowercase h health (healthcare) is central to understanding why this challenge requires more than hospitals and clinics.Kenny Wilk draws on his experience leading the Kansas Economic Growth Act and the Bioscience Authority to show how bold, long-term visions can outlast the individuals who cast them.Understanding that a vision is "imagining what you cannot see" — and being comfortable that casting a bold vision invites scrutiny. How the Kansas Health Foundation’s research on the Economic Case for Health shows that Health is not only an outcome of a great economy, it’s a driver. Progress should be celebrated — incremental wins keep people engaged and moving toward a long-term goal. Chapters1:25 – Kansas at Number One Vision2:52 – Pragmatism Meets Idealism3:31 – The Coins and the Climb4:51 – What Kansans Told Us8:04 – If Kansas Matched New Hampshire11:21 – Up to the 30,00011:53 – Meet Kenny Wilk12:55 – Capital H vs. Small h Health16:42 – Hospitals' Role in Thriving18:41 – Casting a Risky Vision21:31 – Players Change, Vision Stays22:47 – Imagining the Unseen23:50 – From Concern to Aspiration24:32 – Listening Then Challenging26:56 – Authority to Set Direction28:51 – Scrutiny and Staying Steady29:58 – Quiet Confidence and Decisions32:01 – Kansas Number One Impact34:51 – Health Drives the Economy39:14 – Takeaways and Celebrate Wins43:04 – Next Episode Leadership ChallengeResourcesAmerica's Health RankingsThe Economic Case for Health Report University of Kansas Health SystemLeading Health is an invitation to move the needle on Health in Kansas, and we invite you to join us in leading the way. Don’t have a copy of Leading Health? Claim your copy and learn more about the movement at kansashealth.org/leadinghealthAnd be sure to subscribe, and drop a comment to let us know what you think.
