Elana Gordon

Kansas City's oldest community health center is gearing up to expand its facility.

Leaders of the Samuel Rodgers Health Center are breaking ground on a new health facility today, which they say will allow them to see more than 7,000 additional patients a year. Executive Director, Hilda Fuentes, says the nearly 40 year old facility off of 9th street is too old and needs major repairs. She also says it's become too small, as more and more people who lack adequate health coverage are seeking health services there.

By Elana Gordon

Kansas City, MO – First lady hopeful Michelle Obama reached out to women voters in Kansas City yesterday, as part of a two day swing through the Midwest.

She hosted a roundtable discussion at the University of Missouri, Kansas City about the economic challenges of working women. The event coincides with both the Obama and McCain Campaign's recent efforts to gain support from voters loyal to former rival Hillary Clinton. Some 300 people - most of whom were women - turned out for the UMKC event.

Michelle Obama hosted a roundtable discussion at the University of Missouri, Kansas City today about the economic challenges of working women.

The aspiring first lady told a crowd 300 people that the struggles of balancing work and family are especially difficult for women today but her husband, Barack Obama, understands the plight of women and is best suited to take on those issues as President.

The child immunization rate in Kansas currently stands at about 80%. State and federal health officials say that's not high enough to prevent diseases like mumps and measles from spreading throughout the population. But a state task force recently found that only 65% of primary care physicians offer immunization services. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Spokesperson, Joe Blubaugh, says that makes it harder for families to access vaccinations for their children.

For many, summertime means but one thing: Pool time.

Courtney Ford: We're making all kinds of plans to just have all kinds of water fun.

But summer's also the time when 90% of pool drownings occur. Many aquatic experts, lawmakers, and child safety advocates say most cases are actually preventable. And now they're stepping up efforts to put an end to incidents that could otherwise be avoided. KCUR's Elana Gordon reports.

By Elana Gordon

KANSAS CITY, MO – A new study released by the non-profit research group, Trust for America's Health, reports that Midwestern states receive less funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) than other states. Kansas is ranked at the very bottom of the list, receiving about $13.61 per capita in CDC funding, compared with the overall national average of about $17.00 per capita.

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Bodies Revealed exhibit opened in Union Station on Friday. The show displays human bodies and body parts that have undergone a special preservation process. KCUR's Health Reporter Elana Gordon was there on opening day, and asked people for their impressions.

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By Elana Gordon