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A Health Divide Between Johnson And Wyandotte Counties

Alex Smith
/
Heartland Health Monitor
47th Street Divides Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas.

Wyandotte and Johnson counties, despite being across the street from one another, are worlds apart when it comes to health. On this edition of Up To Date, we explore the issues each county faces and why there is such a large discrepancy when it comes to healthcare for residents.

Guests:

  • Brian McKiernan is a commissioner for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
  • James Joerke is deputy director for the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
  • Alex Smith is a health reporter for KCUR, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor, who just completed a series of stories on this issue.
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
Kansas City needs journalists who show up not just on people’s worst days, but on their best ones — and the boring ones in between. I build relationships across the metro, so our newsroom can bring you critical information when times are tough, and seek out moments of joy to celebrate. Email me at lisa@kcur.org.
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