It's been called "the science and art of preventing disease," and "the science of improving the health of people and their communities." Public health has other definitions, too, and the current pandemic just might push public health to front of the scientific field, overshadowing even our ongoing tussle over the future of individual health care in America. Ellyn Mulcahy is an associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology at Kansas State University, and Elaine Johannes is an associate professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences, and a K-State Research and Extension specialist in family and youth development. Both serve on the Kansas Public Health Systems Group. They'll share insight into what Kansas and K-State Research and Extension are doing to promote public health... and discuss the Kansas citizen who was a very early advocate of public health.

Guests for this episode:

• Elaine Johannes is an associate professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences, and a K-State Research and Extension specialist in family and youth development.
• Ellyn Mulcahy is an associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University

Links to Resources:

• Kansas Public Health Practice Program — The goal of the Kansas Public Health Practice Program is to strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of the Kansas public health system. The Public Health Practice Program is supported by a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.
• K-State Research and Extension homepage
• K-State Research and Extension COVID-19 Resources page
• Contact information for local K-State Research and Extension offices

The Extension Files is a product of K-State Research and Extension, which is Kansas State University’s outreach and education system. We have an office in every one of Kansas’ 105 counties.

The goal for K-State Research and Extension is to be everyday Kansans’ trusted source for relevant, unbiased research and information to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future.

In Kansas, extension agents’ expertise and deep network of connections cover a wide array of topics:

• food (from livestock and crop production to preparation and preservation)
• families and community
• 4-H youth development
• finances
• health in all stages of life
• gardening
• landscaping
• … and much more

Check out the K-State Research and Extension website to learn more. The quickest way to find us on Facebook and Twitter is to search for #KSRE.

To provide feedback about this podcast, email us at ksrenews@ksu.edu.