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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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Krystal Anderson died in March after giving birth to a stillborn daughter. For Black women like her, the risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes is greater than for white women.
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Doulas help new and expecting families navigate pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Studies show their intervention improves maternal health outcomes.
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Black women hoping to conceive using donor sperm often have to choose a donor from a different race or put their fertility journey on hold because of a shortage of Black sperm donors. Researchers at the University of Kansas Medical Center are trying to find out why.
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Students at the University of Kansas say their "liberation encampment" will last several days. They also have demanded that KU divest itself of any ties to Israel.
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Recent data from the Commonwealth Fund illustrates stark differences in the health care system in Kansas for white people and people of color.
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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.