Kansas Health Foundation Strategic Plan

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In an age of accelerated change, it’s increasingly unusual to have a plan that reaches more than five or 10 years into the future. Additionally, businesses, government and nonprofit charities are often constrained to meeting society’s immediately pressing needs. As a philanthropy, we aren’t. Our independent voice and endowed resources uniquely position us to take a long-term view. Our unique role allows us to address the complex and difficult problems that can take years or even decades to solve. Our strategic plan provides us a roadmap for the next 20 years.

Focus on the Future
The privilege and responsibility of our long-term focus directs our work toward prevention. Primary prevention means keeping problems from occurring in the first place. That usually involves helping people make good choices. Eliminating tobacco use. Improving diets. Increasing physical activity. Reducing alcohol consumption. Simple behavior changes can mean the difference between sickness and health.

Primary Prevention Works
As an example of the long-term nature of primary prevention, consider a young teenage mother. In her early teen years, one form of helping her avoid an unwanted pregnancy would have been a pregnancy-prevention program. An even earlier intervention would have helped her develop strong self-esteem and good decision-making skills as a pre-teen. Primary prevention starts earlier still. It helps create a nurturing environment as a young child. So, this little girl would have been ready to enter school at age five. And being ready to start school increases her chances of doing well in school, of not taking part in risk-taking behaviors, of graduating from high school and enjoying better economic circumstances as an adult. All of which contribute to better health.

Going to the Root
As a philanthropy, the Kansas Health Foundation has a clear charge. Other organizations address Kansans’ immediate needs for medical care and health-related social services. Our role in improving health for all Kansans focuses on identifying and eliminating the root causes of poor health.

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