By Elana Gordon
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-989323.mp3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A group charged with improving the health of city residents will soon unveil a five year plan.
Kansas City created the Health Commission about 10 years ago, to act as a sort of bully pulpit in advising city leaders on major health problems in the region.
Frank Thompson, with the health department, has been involved with commission activities from the start. He says past efforts of the group - made up of mayor-appointed officials and health leaders - led to the adoption of a citywide smoking ban that's served as a model ordinance for neighboring communities.
More recently, the commission has spent the past four months gathering community input for a five-year health improvement plan for the city. The plan builds on the city's first two health improvement plans: one outlined in 2001 and another in 2007.
Thompson says unlike a lot of previous strategies, this new plan goes beyond addressing tangible medical issues, like heart disease, to taking on some of the underlying causes.
"People are often surprised - well why is predatory lending included in a health improvement plan?" says Thompson. "Because of the ripple effect that has on a neighborhood and the effect that then has on the health of those neighborhoods."
Goals of the new plan include ensuring all residents have access to nutritious foods and live in an active and safe environment.
The commission is slated to finalize the plan today. From there it goes to the city council.
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