The Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, public/private collaborative, which exists to improve access to healthcare for the uninsured and the underinsured, to enhance health maintenance and prevention of health problems, and to facilitate coordination of community health services and health education initiatives.  Formed in 2002, the Community Health Council’s primary focus is to implement the key recommendations and vision of the Report of the Mayor’s Access to Healthcare Commission, Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1997, accessibility of funding and better coordination of services was identified as a major barrier to healthcare services in Wyandotte County, based on a telephone survey of 700 residents, conducted by Professional Research Consultants (PRC).  In May 2000, UAW/Ford Motor Co. published a report which it commissioned, entitled “Community Health Care Initiative of Greater Kansas City.” This five-county study, conducted by Lewin and Associates, identified Wyandotte County as having the area’s least favorable indicators for racial disparities in health status between African Americans and Caucasian residents.  It also reported that Wyandotte County has a high rate of admissions for “ambulatory sensitive conditions,” leading to the conclusion that many persons are using emergency room as their physician and waiting to seek care until health has deteriorated to require admission.

In 2001, Mayor’s Access to Healthcare Commission estimated the lack of access to healthcare in Wyandotte County included approximately 14,500 adults, ages 19-64 years, and 3,500 children under 18 yrs of age.  One third of employees in Wyandotte County are employed in the service sector or construction industry, both less likely to provide health insurance coverage to their employees.  The Commission also concluded that fragmentation and lack of sufficient resources limit the potential of Wyandotte County’s existing healthcare delivery network to meet the access needs of the community.  Furthermore, the Commission identified the essential need for greater collaboration and coordination within the healthcare provider community, to enhance the access to healthcare services and for health maintenance.

The Community Health Council includes leadership from health, business, community, social service organizations and agencies, who desire to improve access to health care for Wyandotte County residents.  The Community Health Council is focused on improving the coordination of services among healthcare providers in Wyandotte County.  The Council meets on a monthly basis to identify areas for improved collaboration, to improve healthcare services available to the indigent population, and to create new opportunities for reducing the barriers to access these services.