Shawnee County, KS. – The latest County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report has been released, offering an in-depth look at Shawnee County residents' overall health and well-being. The report highlights both strengths and areas where continued improvement is needed to ensure all residents have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives.

The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps are compiled annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, in collaboration with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. These rankings provide data-driven insights into health outcomes and the factors that influence them—such as health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment—across nearly every county in the United States.

Shawnee County continues to show progress in key community conditions, ranking slightly better than the Kansas state average and better than the national average in several categories. Significant highlights from this year’s report include Flu Vaccination Rates, Access to Exercise Opportunities, Mental Health Provider Availability. However, the rankings also underscore ongoing challenges in areas such as Premature Death, Air Quality and Child Care Cost Burden.

The findings from the County Health Rankings reinforce the importance of local efforts such as Shawnee County’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHNA helps identify priority health issues affecting residents, while the CHIP outlines specific strategies and actions to improve health outcomes across the county. Together, these efforts guide collaborative work among public health, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and community organizations to address health disparities and create a healthier Shawnee County.

“While Shawnee County has made measurable progress in areas like preventive care and community health infrastructure, we recognize the need to address disparities and ensure equitable access to opportunities that support good health,” said Teresa Fisher, Shawnee County Health Director. “The Community Health Improvement Plan allows us to focus on key priorities identified by our residents and align our efforts with the data provided by the County Health Rankings.” The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps provide an annual snapshot of how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work, and play. The data serves as a crucial resource for leaders and organizations striving to build a healthier Shawnee County.

For more information about the County Health Rankings, or to get involved in local health initiatives, please visit www.countyhealthrankings.org.