IMPROVING OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Access to Healthcare and Supportive Services
Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental concern for every individual in Kansas City, as the inability to afford, utilize, and access necessary healthcare has devastating consequences for our friends, families, and neighbors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2022) recognizes that many people face barriers that restrict or limit their access to essential healthcare services, resulting in increased risks of poor health outcomes and health disparities.
One significant barrier to healthcare is inadequate health insurance, which creates fear and financial obstacles that hinder individuals from affording quality care. In Kansas City, approximately 180,000 people, comprising nine percent of the population, are uninsured (U.S. Census Bureau 2022b). This lack of insurance coverage prevents individuals from accessing clinical settings for preventative screenings and managing chronic conditions. Additionally, transportation poses a major challenge, often leading to missed or delayed appointments and medication usage.
These barriers to accessing healthcare disproportionately affect people of color and low-income households, leading to disparate health outcomes. Furthermore, even when individuals can access care, experiences of discrimination and bias persist within healthcare settings. Skopec and Kenney (2021) highlight research that demonstrates individuals are frequently subjected to unfair treatment and discrimination based on disabilities, gender identity or sexual orientation, and race or ethnicity. These barriers result in reduced access to care, lower levels of health and quality of life, contribute to significant illness, socioeconomic hardships, and premature death. For example, the rising maternal morbidity and mortality right in America results from multiple barriers but the effects are more evident for Black women in our country. “Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women in the United States and several studies have found Black women are more likely than their white counterparts to experience severe maternal morbidity or an adverse outcome during pregnancy or childbirth” (Martin 2023).
United Way is committed to standing alongside the community and investing in multiple programs aimed at delivering high-quality, affordable, and equitable healthcare to Kansas City. Last year 107,379 people had access to primary and specialty medical care through the work of 17 organizations, including community-based clinics and programs, supported by United Way. United Way has also responded to gaps in healthcare access with a unique initiative. Through a partnership between United Way and Delta Dental of Kansas, 1,418 people in low-income households have been enrolled in free dental coverage, receiving $1.3 million in dental care since the initiative’s launch in 2021. Together, we work towards eliminating barriers and ensuring that all individuals receive the care they deserve.
Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Intervention & Treatment
Maintaining good mental health is crucial for our emotional, psychological, and social well-being throughout our lives. Unfortunately, our community faces significant challenges in this area, as evidenced by statistics revealing that one in five US adults live with mental illness, one in five youth experience seriously debilitating mental illness, and approximately one in 25 US adults live with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health 2023). Kansas City is in two states with high prevalence of mental illness and low access to care. In a 2022 report by Mental Health America, Kansas ranked last of all states for mental health care, while Missouri was ranked 39th (Reinert, Nguyen, and Fritze 2022).
When mental health is not properly addressed and managed, it significantly increases the risk of unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, poor quality of life, and suicide. Additionally, mental illness can contribute to the development of chronic health conditions like diabetes or heart disease, while the presence of these physical health conditions can also heighten the risk of mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health 2021). Substance abuse is closely intertwined with mental illness, both as a consequence and a cause. Co-occurring substance use disorders and mental disorders present significant challenges in treatment, exacerbating the complexities involved. Substance abuse not only jeopardizes a person’s health, but also their relationships, employment, income, and can even lead to injury or death. The devastating impact of substance abuse is evident from the over 100,000 drug overdose deaths and more than 52,000 alcohol-induced deaths recorded in the US in 2021 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2022).
Recognizing the profound influence of substance abuse and the limited access to quality, affordable mental health services on our community, United Way is committed to investing in multiple programs that support the mental well-being of every individual in Kansas City, as well as substance abuse treatment programs that offer pathways to recovery. Over the past year, United Way’s support has enabled outpatient mental health services to reach 5,443 individuals. We will continue our dedicated investment in mental health initiatives as our community responds to and recovers from the surge in substance abuse and the lingering mental health challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. United Way collaborates with esteemed organizations like First Call, KidsTLC, Mattie Rhodes, Mental Health America of the Heartland, Rediscover, Tri-County Mental Health Services, and Wyandot Behavioral Health Network to ensure comprehensive mental health support for the residents of Kansas City. Together, we strive to provide accessible, high-quality care and address the evolving needs of our community.
Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Intervention
Domestic and intimate partner violence shatters the sense of safety and security that every person deserves, unraveling the very fabric that binds households, neighborhoods, and communities together. Shockingly, in the United States, almost half of all women and 40% of men have reported experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization by an intimate partner at some point in their lives (Leemis et al. 2022). These acts of physical and sexual violence are often accompanied by threats, emotional and psychological abuse, and controlling behaviors that extend to finances and social connections, leaving victims with few avenues for escape.
Intimate partner violence knows no boundaries and can impact individuals of any age, income
level, sexual orientation, gender, or race/ethnicity. However, it is important to recognize that individuals with fewer economic, tangible, social, and physical resources may be particularly vulnerable to the threat of violence or abuse from an intimate partner (Public Education Committee of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 2016). Given its pervasive impact on individuals across our community, United Way is deeply committed to investing in agencies and programs that provide prevention, intervention, and advocacy services to individuals affected by intimate partner violence.
United Way supports a network of six domestic violence shelters that provided more than 93,000 nights of shelter to 1,798 women and children last year, offering a crucial lifeline for those seeking refuge from abuse. Additionally, we proudly support exceptional organizations like the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), which tirelessly works to provide prevention efforts, responsive services, and advocacy for individuals whose lives have been impacted by sexual abuse and assault.
By partnering with these vital organizations, United Way strives to create a community where intimate partner violence is prevented, survivors are supported, and advocacy is amplified. Together, we work towards a future where every individual can live a life free from the devastating effects of domestic and intimate partner violence.
Services for Individuals with Disabilities
Ensuring full participation and inclusion in our community means removing barriers, eradicating stereotypes, and eliminating boundaries for individuals living with disabilities. It is estimated that one in four Americans live with some form of disability, highlighting the significant number of individuals affected by this issue (Centers for Disease Control, 2023). In the Kansas City metro, there are roughly 216,000 individuals living with disabilities (Nakahodo 2021). Despite progress made in terms of legal rights, people with disabilities in Kansas City continue to face substantial physical, social, and economic challenges that hinder their genuine inclusion.
Individuals living with disabilities often encounter lower-quality healthcare, higher costs, and difficulties accessing essential services, resulting in poorer health outcomes compared to those individuals living without disabilities (Seervai, Shah, and Shah 2019). Employment opportunities for disabled people are also limited, producing a persistent wage gap leading to increased financial instability and a poverty rate nearly twice the rate of their peers who are nondisabled or living without visible disabilities (Goodman, Morris, and Boston 2017). Furthermore, disabled people of color face even greater financial instability than their white counterparts. “In 2020, one in four disabled Black adults in the United States lived in poverty, while just over one in seven of their white counterparts did so” (Vallas, Knackstedt, and Thompson 2022).
Regrettably, our society and healthcare system present numerous obstacles that make it challenging for people with disabilities to live in community settings, secure employment, and afford the necessary healthcare and support they require (Seervai, Shah, and Shah 2019). Recognizing the importance of addressing these issues, United Way remains committed to supporting organizations dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities. We prioritize agencies that actively work to overcome barriers to access, ensuring that their services are inclusive and equitable.
Through our funding, United Way supports various organizations that provide meaningful access to opportunities for individuals living with disabilities. Ability KC, Inclusive Connections, TNC Community, Sherwood Center, and Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired are just a few examples of the agencies that receive support from United Way, as part of our ongoing efforts to create a community where everyone can thrive and participate fully.
By joining forces with these dedicated organizations, United Way strives to break down barriers,
challenge stereotypes and foster a truly inclusive and equitable community for individuals living with disabilities. Together, we can create a society where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives.
Aging and Senior Support Services
Older adults, typically aged 60 and above, encounter a range of challenges in terms of health and financial stability, leading to a crisis within our community. Health issues, mobility limitations, and cognitive decline pose obstacles to independent living, often necessitating increased reliance on family caregivers, in-home services, or alternative housing arrangements. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they rely on their retirement savings and public benefits, which can prove inadequate, especially in the face of record-high inflation.
Nationwide, 80 percent of households with older adults are grappling with financial difficulties or are at risk of economic insecurity (Popham et al. 2020). With a higher probability of encountering major shocks such as declining health, the loss of a partner, or the inability to work, many older Americans find themselves facing difficult decisions when it comes to affording crucial needs like medication, food, or housing expenses. Shockingly, one in five older adults is currently experiencing food insecurity (Hartline-Grafton 2019).
Sadly, as older Americans continue to age, they often face disparities in treatment and outcomes due to racial factors (Scommegna and Mather 2021), and the economic impact of aging disproportionately affects low-income people of color (Mutchler, Roldan, and Li 2020). The combination of poverty, food insecurity, and poor health results in rapid declines in quality of life, leaving many older Americans trapped in a constant struggle as they age.
United Way holds a deep belief in supporting programs that specifically target the needs of older adults, providing stability in areas such as food security, housing stability, and mental and physical health. While we partner with multiple organizations that serve older adults, United Way supports four Shepherd’s Center organizations across the metro whose focus is on the unique needs of older adults and ensuring they receive access to multiple services. United Way 211 also partners with the Mid-America Regional Council, which serves as Area Agency on Aging for the Missouri-side of the Kansas City metro, as the frontline service for their Department of Aging and Adult Services program to assist elderly adults with high-touch information and advocacy. Last year, through this partnership 211 handled more than 12,000 calls from elderly adults in need of housing, food, and other critical services.
By investing in programs that prioritize the well-being of older adults, United Way aims to alleviate the challenges they face and improve their overall quality of life. We recognize the importance of addressing the multifaceted needs of older adults, including access to nutritious food, affordable and secure housing, and comprehensive mental and physical healthcare. Through collaboration with dedicated organizations, United Way strives to create a community where older adults can age with dignity, security, and the necessary support to lead fulfilling lives.
Thank you to research and community partners for supplying information and support critical to this community needs index including: US Dept of Health and Human Services, US Census Bureau, Delta Dental of Kansas, Mental Health America, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion | Division of Population Health, Centers for Disease Control, First Call, KidsTLC, Mattie Rhodes Center, Mental Health America of the Heartland, Tri-County Mental Health Services, Wyandot Behavioral Health Network, National Institute of Mental Health, Public Education Committee of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, AbilityKC, Inclusive Connections, TNC Community, Sherwood Center, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired, Mid America Regional Council.