Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga
Health equity reporter, Kansas News ServiceBek Shackelford-Nwanganga reports on health disparities in access and health outcomes in both rural and urban areas.
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Lobbyists and legislators have been pushing for years to eliminate copays for supplemental and diagnostic breast cancer screening, which other Midwest states have already done. Advocates say they create cost barriers that can lead to late diagnosis.
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The four pharmacy owners formed their own pharmacy benefit manager to take on the huge companies that influence how much people pay for medications.
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As pharmacies close nationwide, some patients lose access to basic pharmaceutical care. These closures are hitting independently owned pharmacies in places like rural Kansas especially hard.
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The University of Kansas surveyed more than 200 workers in chain retail settings about their job satisfaction. “They've been treated, in a lot of cases, like a commodity instead of a health care worker,” one industry professional said.
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After a previously released design received public outcry, Gov. Laura Kelly unveiled five license plate designs for Kansans to vote on. Following an online voting process, the state has a new plate.
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Parents across the region are shocked after federal charges allege a Johnson County pediatric neurologist tried to produce explicit content including children. Dr. Brian Aalbers is charged with attempting to produce and possessing child sexual abuse images.
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In Kansas, the number of severe complications during labor and delivery has increased. For moms of color or women enrolled in Medicaid, the numbers are even higher. One of the state’s Medicaid contractors is now providing doula services to help.
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City and county officials are working to save ER services in the southeast Kansas community. If that doesn't work, they're trying to prepare by hiring more ambulance drivers.
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Health officials announced an active tuberculosis case at Olathe Northwest High School in early October. Now, four other people tested positive for the bacteria.
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For a third consecutive year, homicides in Kansas City are skyrocketing — and many of the victims are mothers. After shootings, headlines tend to focus on suspects, victims and charges. But what happens to the families left behind?