Kansas City Health Commission: 2006 Annual Report

The Kansas City Health Commission provides an annual report to the Mayor and City Council. This report is also shared with the community at large. The report for calendar year 2006 is the most current. This annual report for 2006 provides an update on the full Health Commission and all its standing committees. There is also an update on the implementation of the Health Commission’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which was endorsed by the city council on January 19, 2006. The CHIP update includes overviews and action plans for each of the eight Health Focus Areas, of the CHIP document. Some of the Health Commission’s highlighted activities for year 2006 are

• Obtaining final approval of the Kansas City Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), by the Mayor and City Council;
• Hosting the Second Annual Kansas City Health Commission Health Summit;
• Hosting a community conference, to report the results of the 2005 Local Public Health System Assessment and to engage the community in finding solutions;
• Advocating for improvements to the Kansas City Clean Indoor Air Ordinance;
• Creating a standing committee to review and advise on quality improvement initiatives, related to the City’s safety net contracts; and
• Initiating a community driven action planning process, to implement strategies, from the Kansas City Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) document.

Kansas City Health Commission: Third Annual Health Summit

The Kansas City Health Commission held its Third Annual Health Summit, on Saturday, June 2, 2007. The summit was held at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. The purpose of the summit was 1) to present a progress report, about the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), 2) to further engage the community in its implementation, and 3) to provide an opportunity for the Health Commission and the community to speak to members of the City Council, on health issues.  

There were one hundred and twenty-six attendees, at the Health Summit. Approximately, 40% of those in attendance were community members, not representing any health agency. A breakout session was conducted, for each of CHIP’S 8 health focus areas. The purpose of the breakout sessions was to offer and opportunity for input from those community members who were in attendance. The breakout sessions focused on reviewing what has already been accomplished and identifying what needs to be accomplished next. Action steps were planned, as time allowed.

Fifty five of those in attendance completed an evaluation of the Health Commission’s Third Annual Health Summit. On fifty-one evaluation forms, all or a majority of the responses were positive.