AGP Executive Report

Heart Health Breakthrough: Pulnovo Medical says its PADN-HF-PH trial (264 patients) cut clinical worsening risk by 51% and reduced recurrent events by 35.5%, with results published in NEJM after ESC Congress 2026. Public Health & Safety: An extreme heat warning is in effect across Douglas County and much of Kansas through Tuesday evening, with Lawrence forecast to hit a heat index near 106—NWS urges limiting strenuous activity and watching for heat illness. Healthcare Access & Caregiving: Kansas disability advocates warn that hospital triage rules during crises could disadvantage people with disabilities, citing complaints filed in multiple states including Kansas. Community Health Support: Johnson County is planning Kansas’s first family safety center, a “one-stop shop” for survivors of violence, aiming to reduce the need to travel between many agencies. Local Wellness Infrastructure: Lawrence school district will add preschool capacity after a waitlist topped 160 families, opening five more classrooms mid-September. Food Safety Alert: A recalled sprouts outbreak linked to Shiga toxin E. coli and Salmonella Agona has been complicated by investigators saying the recalled product was distributed to only two states, leaving many illnesses unexplained. Housing & Affordability: Kansas lawmakers are raising concerns about the number of duplexes being built in the Wichita area, arguing for a better mix of housing types and community impacts.

Medical Access & Recovery: BAART Programs is expanding opioid treatment options in six states by adding office-based buprenorphine (OBOT) alongside existing methadone care at 11 locations, aiming to match treatment to patients’ needs. Public Health & Safety: Shelter KC says it’s critically low on hygiene essentials like soap, toothpaste, underwear, toilet paper, and shower shoes—items tied directly to dignity and cleanliness for people in its Mission programs. Health Care Quality: A new national look at medical care complications highlights how preventable harm can drive deaths, with state-by-state differences tied to staffing and system factors. Community Health Partnerships: KU’s Office of Community Impact is naming 7 Community Impact Champions and 19 Community Impact Hubs for 2026, spotlighting community-university work across Kansas. Local Health & Wellness in Action: A Wichita lawn-care creator found a dead dog on an abandoned property and launched a fundraiser for the Wichita Animal Action League to support pet food and veterinary care. Kansas City Area Care Needs: A $5M claim notice alleges an 11-year-old was sexually assaulted in a school restroom, raising questions about bathroom monitoring and safety planning.

Heat & Health: Kansas City metro HVAC crews are getting slammed as a long heat wave pushes AC systems to the limit, with technicians prioritizing elderly residents and people with health conditions. COVID Watch: CDC data shows COVID cases are “likely growing” in Kansas, but emergency department visits remain very low and wastewater levels are still low. Heart Health Research: A new review finds men with either low or high testosterone may have a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, suggesting testosterone treatment should be individualized and monitored. Maternal Care Access: A Kansas report outlines strategies to close gaps and transform maternal healthcare, including looking at where care deserts may be forming. Local Health & Safety: A mother and 11-year-old daughter in Ottawa were injured in a car crash while walking to school, and they’re urging compassion after the incident. Healthcare Leadership: Kearney Regional Medical Center in Nebraska named a new CEO, with plans to expand high-quality care across the region. Wellness Products: Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt invested in AM/PM oral wellness brand DAYLY, highlighting “clean, intentional ingredients” and a routine-based approach to brushing.

Healthcare Tech in Kansas City: University Health deployed Zebra mobile computers and printers, cutting provider callback wait times from 45 minutes to seconds and helping frontline staff document and coordinate care at the bedside. Veterans Services Expansion: Veterans Community Project opened a new Welcome Center in south Kansas City, aiming to boost help for about 1,000 veterans a year by 20% with a low-barrier “front door” for resources. Animal Care Access in Wichita: Wichita Animal Shelter wants out of a $170,000 emergency vet contract, citing billing and staffing problems and saying 60% of animals in its Good Samaritan Program were euthanized because surgery fees outpaced the budget. Public Health & Food Safety: Federal investigators say a seed supplier linked to a fifteen-state sprout outbreak hasn’t responded to FDA recall requests, raising concerns about sprouts grown from the same seed lot beyond the named consumer recall area. Local Governance & Growth: Sedgwick County extended and softened its data center moratorium, with new zoning rules expected later this month.

Transgender Students in Focus: The U.S. Justice Department sued Kansas City, Kan., schools over transgender disclosure guidelines, arguing they violate federal student privacy and parental rights laws. Heat Safety in Schools: Wichita Public Schools is rescheduling practices and games due to extreme heat, including early-morning workouts to protect student athletes. Rural Health at Home: Dickinson County’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare program is bringing community paramedicine into homes, aiming to prevent ER visits and hospital stays. Caregiving Support Tech: CareExpertAI launched as an evidence-based, voice-first help tool for family and professional caregivers, covering topics from dementia care to medication questions. Community Wellness Spaces: Whatsoever Community Center in Kansas City’s Historic Northeast and Hella Good Deeds’ Rooted Change Grant helped anchor local support hubs in the region. Local Health Media: Smoky Hills PBS is set to return “Doctors on Call” with Kansas clinicians answering viewer questions starting Sept. 8. Air Quality Alert: An orange ozone alert was issued for the Kansas City area, with guidance to reduce exposure for kids and people with asthma or heart disease.

Water Security Boost: The EPA is awarding nearly $12M to strengthen cybersecurity and resilience for drinking water systems, including Coffeyville, Kansas, while a White House initiative will connect Texas utilities with free cyber defense resources. Heat Safety for Kids: Kansas schools are adjusting schedules to protect athletes, using wet-bulb temperature guidance; Newman Regional Health shared how training staff make calls to reduce heat risk. Seatbelt Push: Safe Kids Kansas and partners launched “Bucks for Buckles,” handing out dollar bills to drivers with everyone buckled up during Labor Day travel. Local Injury Update: A mother and 11-year-old daughter were injured after being struck near West 11th and Cypress in Ottawa; the dog died, and the crash is under investigation. Care Access via Telehealth: Newman Regional Health expanded neurology care in Emporia through telehealth with a new KU Health System neurologist. GLP-1 Coverage Limits: A Medicare GLP-1 discount pilot is denying some patients, showing that eligibility rules can block access even when costs are the main barrier. Neurology & Epilepsy Care: The telehealth expansion highlights growing specialty access for rural Kansans without long travel. Community Health & Wellness: Prairie Festival 2026 in Salina celebrates 50 years of perennial agriculture—aimed at healthier food systems and community wellbeing.

Drinking Water Safety Check: KDHE testing in Salina found no bacteria or chemical contaminants above federal health standards after residents reported discolored tap water, with results also meeting secondary taste/odor/appearance limits. Air Quality Alert: Kansas City area residents were warned about an orange ozone alert Tuesday (9 a.m.–7 p.m.), with guidance to limit activities that worsen ground-level ozone—especially for kids, seniors, and people with heart/lung conditions. Food Safety Recall: FDA expanded a sprout recall tied to E. coli and Salmonella, adding Robust Radish Sprout Mix due to possible cross-contamination from a common seed supplier. Health Policy & Costs: A Lawrence pharmacy owner says Kansas’ new PBM transparency law (SB 20) is already squeezing revenue, as the industry adjusts. Local Mental Health Leadership: The Jones Project is taking applications for a new youth leadership academy in Topeka focused on mental health awareness and peer support skills. Medicaid Fraud Sentencing: A KCK man sentenced for Medicaid fraud after billing for personal care services he didn’t provide. Community Health Access: Pitt State hosted a community fair connecting students to local health resources like immunizations, STI testing, and sliding-scale care.

Water Safety Watch: KDHE says Salina water tests on Dover Drive found E. coli and coliform “Absent,” with no contaminants exceeding EPA health limits, after residents raised concerns about discolored water. Hospital Update: Stormont Vail Health in Topeka welcomed surgical intensivist Dr. Christopher Koo to support trauma and acute care patients during critical moments. Mental Health in Public View: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services will unveil a teen mental health and suicide-prevention mural in downtown Topeka on Sept. 9, funded through the Garrett Lee Smith Grant. Food Safety Alert: A nationwide sprouts recall was expanded after salmonella and E. coli were found in additional batches; illnesses have been reported in Kansas. Community Violence Prevention: KU researchers report a 42.3% reduction in youth homicide in Wyandotte County through the ThrYve initiative, published in Youth. Public Health & Policy: SNAP food-purchase restrictions in South Carolina and North Dakota were delayed after a federal court ruling. Local Crime (Health Impact): Lawrence police say a bar brawl stabbing killed a 20-year-old Kansas City man; a suspect is in custody.

Rural Health Oversight: A $50B rural healthcare program is one year in, but Kansas readers should care: groups say it lacks proactive transparency, which can slow oversight and make it harder to spot what’s working or where fraud could slip through. Workforce Training Access: Pell grant rules are expanding under “Workforce Pell,” aiming to help students afford shorter job-training programs—potentially including medical assistant and EMT tracks. Heat Safety at Youth Sports: Parents in Rose Hill questioned whether Kansas’ wet-bulb heat rules are enough after kids struggled and some came off crying during youth football. Local Health & Safety Alerts: A boil-water advisory was issued for Ellis County RWD 1C, and another for part of northeast Kansas (Geary Co.). Health Crisis Stories: A Kansas City woman marked her 107th birthday, and a local case highlighted how fast ER care can be life-saving after aortic dissection symptoms. Public Health Data Watch: New Medicaid spending breakdowns show notable local shifts across Kansas categories, including evaluation/management and pathology/lab services. Community Safety: Police are investigating fatal stabbings in Lawrence and a deadly Kansas City QuikTrip shooting.

Rural Emergency Response: After a week of hands-on training, Topeka firefighters used specialized rescue skills to lift a man from railroad tracks under the U.S. 75 Westgate Bridge, sending him to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Medicaid Spending Watch (Kansas): New federal data show sharp local swings in Medicaid billing—Olathe’s Radiology Procedures jumped to $294 in 2024, Liberal’s Surgery rose to $11,325, and El Dorado’s Procedures/Professional Services climbed to $2.38M—highlighting where health care dollars are flowing. Mental Health Access: Central Kansas Mental Health Center is set to open a new Youth Campus in Salina, adding space for sensory and play therapy plus wraparound services as youth referrals keep rising. Cardiac Care Breakthrough: New ESC Congress 2026 findings report transcatheter tricuspid valve repair can reduce heart-failure hospitalizations and death for patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Community Health & Safety: Lawrence police are investigating a fatal downtown stabbing near Seventh and Massachusetts, with a suspect still at large and tips requested. Youth Wellness Event: Emporia’s “Vamos a Pescar” celebrated its 10th anniversary with fishing, canoeing, and local health education at PAROC.

Public Health Alert: KDHE and KDWP issued blue-green algae advisories for multiple Kansas lakes, warning people to avoid contact (and keep pets away) if blooms look like foam/scum/paint and to rinse with clean water if exposure happens; report suspected HAB-related illness to KDHE. Community Health & Safety: A Kansas City mother hosted a “Stop, Think and Breathe” rally to reduce gun violence and connect families to mental health resources. Homelessness Data: The Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition detailed how Douglas County’s point-in-time count used a new app and safeguards to better capture sheltered and unsheltered homelessness. Local Crime Update: Riley County Police released Aug. 27–28 call and arrest summaries in Manhattan, including an aggravated assault report involving a firearm. Health-Related Sports Business: A commentary piece argues momentum is growing to expose hidden litigation funders tied to lawsuits, including in healthcare innovation. Kansas City Chiefs Roster Moves: KC traded for Ravens rookie OT Diego Pounds as Josh Simmons’ back issue remains a watch item.

Public Health & Safety: Safe Kids Kansas and partners are launching “Bucks for Buckles” (Aug. 31–Sept. 13) in 44 Kansas cities to push seat belt and child safety seat use, with volunteers handing out dollar bills to buckled drivers and education materials to those who aren’t. Sports Medicine & Wellness: Creatine is surging in popularity, with researchers pointing to a mix of social media buzz and newer studies fueling claims about muscle, cognition, and healthy aging. Cardiac Care Research: Cytokinetics reported additional ESC Congress 2026 results for aficamten (ACACIA-HCM) and MAPLE-HCM, highlighting improvements in cardiac structure and diastolic function in non-obstructive HCM and benefits across obstructive HCM groups. Health Tech/Healthcare Access: Kansas City Health Department debuted a public disease-tracking tool, aiming to improve how residents and officials monitor outbreaks. Community Health Funding: FHSU received a $200,000 gift supporting healthcare education, backing more training for local providers. Local Injury Watch: Reports say e-bike and scooter injuries are rising statewide, with calls for clearer rules as more people use electric mobility.

Rural Health Funding: Sen. Roger Marshall met with Stormont Vail Health to discuss Kansas’ rural healthcare push, including $220M in 2025 Rural Health Transformation funding and how Medicaid reimbursement gaps are affecting counties. Public Health Alert: KDHE and KDWP issued a blue-green algae advisory for multiple Kansas waters, warning Kansans to avoid contact (and keep pets away) if blooms look like foam/scum/paint and to rinse with clean water if exposure happens. Community Health & Housing: Manhattan Housing Authority hit its highest PHAS score in over a decade, returning to “Standard Performer” status after HUD approved an appeal. Health Education Boost: Fort Hays State University received a $200,000 gift from the Curtis and Oliverius families to expand Stroup Hall for nursing and allied health training. Food Security Angle: A new report highlights how food insecurity is rising in the U.S., with grocery affordability concerns growing alongside global hunger pressures. Sports Safety Note: A Jets rookie running back was hospitalized with a neck injury after a preseason game collision.

Heart Health (Dogs): A Fetch dvm360 keynote in Kansas City focused on what to do when a primary care vet hears a new murmur in an asymptomatic dog—how to sort benign from pathologic cases and when radiographs are enough versus when echocardiograms are needed. Cardiology (New Treatment): At ESC Congress 2026, aficamten showed improved symptom burden and exercise capacity for patients with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Public Health (Water Safety): KDHE issued a boil water advisory for Ellis County Rural Water District 1C after a waterline break caused a loss of pressure. Public Health (Local Data): The Kansas City Health Department launched a public Communicable Disease Dashboard to track reported cases and trends, updating weekly. Health Care Education (Kansas): Fort Hays State University received a combined $200,000 gift from the Curtis and Oliverius families to renovate Stroup Hall and expand nursing and allied health training space. Community Health (Training): Munson Army Health Center delivered Combat Lifesaver training to 12 service members at Fort Leavenworth, emphasizing trauma care skills for emergencies. Health Policy/Access (Legal): Froedtert Hospital sued CVS over alleged improper diversion of about $18M from the federal 340B drug discount program.

Meta Settlement for Kansas: Kansas is set to receive $134 million from Meta as part of a major nationwide deal over claims Instagram and Facebook harmed children, with required safety upgrades like daily time limits, nighttime blocks, school-hour limits, age checks, and tighter controls. Parent Guidance: After the settlement, University of Kansas Health System experts say parents should do weekly “social media wellness check-ins,” use monitoring tools, and get help if bullying, depression, or disordered eating concerns show up. Community Health & Safety: Geary County issued a boil-water advisory after a waterline incident, urging residents to boil water before drinking or cooking. Breastfeeding Support: Shawnee County earned a “Community Supporting Breastfeeding Plus” designation, highlighting local spaces and daycare support for nursing. Health Care Fraud: An Overland Park chiropractor pleaded guilty to health care fraud, accused of billing Blue KC for chiropractic services not provided. Animal Welfare: Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina is caring for 83 ornate box turtles rescued from illegal wildlife trade, with vet exams and disease testing underway. Local Wellness Events: JFS is launching a High Holiday food drive for families facing rising costs, and Overland Park memory care residents enjoyed an end-of-summer slip-and-slide carnival.

Sports Medicine Tech: AMSSM and OpenEvidence announced a partnership to build AI-powered sports medicine education for clinicians and patients, expanding resources from SportsMedToday. Public Health & Safety Data: Kansas fire officials say NERIS Public will refresh incident-level fire data multiple times weekly, helping communities spot trends and target prevention. Mental Health & Care Access: Sedgwick County’s 2027 budget adds EMS staffing and ambulances and boosts behavioral health funding via a shift to CCBHC revenue. Child Safety Online: Kansas will receive $134M from a Meta settlement over Instagram/Facebook child-safety claims, with required teen protections like daily limits and nighttime blocks. Community Health Infrastructure: Newman Regional Health is inviting the public to preserve Cora Miller Hall’s nursing legacy as the building nears retirement. Addiction Support Housing: Southwick House received a $171,722 grant to launch transitional housing services for women and families in Emporia ahead of its early-2027 opening. Healthcare Workforce: Flint Hills Technical College is hiring allied health adjunct instructors, including medication aide and home health aide roles.