Public Health Policy Hub

Access to Care & Medicaid

Medicaid at Risk: The Cost of Federal Work Requirements in Missouri (2025) — Breaks down the impact of recent federal changes to Medicaid for individuals in Missouri and Jackson County, as well as the broader impacts on our collective healthcare system.
Maternal Mortality & Postpartum Medicaid Extension (2023) — Addresses Missouri’s consistently high maternal mortality rate by recommending that postpartum Medicaid coverage be extended from 60 days to one year.
Medicaid & Reproductive Health (2021) — Reports on Medicaid expansion and reproductive health policy in Missouri, including maternal health, contraception, family planning, and access to care.
Back to Top

Improving Tenant Health: Proactive Rental Inspections (2024) — Living in unsafe housing is a top health concern for our residents. This report looks at how EJC cities are successfully using proactive rental inspections to help protect the health and safety of renters.
Suburban Poverty in Eastern Jackson County (2020) — A snapshot of poverty in EJC prior to the economic upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Back to Top

Menstrual Equity in Eastern Jackson County (2022) — When low-income teens don’t have access to menstrual products at home, they can end up missing class time. This survey of school nurses looks at the impact on local students, as well as the availability of free pads and tampons in EJC schools.
Local & State Policies to Reduce School Vaping (2020) — Explores the health impact of rising e-cigarette use in Missouri, particularly among young people, as well as the effectiveness of policies intended to address this.
Fast Food & School Proximity (2019) — Analyzes the number of fast food restaurants located within a 1/2 mile or 1 mile radius of schools in Eastern Jackson County, and discusses strategies for fighting obesity at a school and city policy level.
Infant Mortality in Eastern Jackson County (2018) — Examines infant mortality rates in Eastern Jackson County, including disparities between different populations, and suggested interventions.
Back to Top

Policy Brief: Harm Reduction (2025) — Educates leaders on the harm reduction recovery model, and recommends three strategies for fighting opioid overdoses in Eastern Jackson County.
Examining Suicide in Eastern Jackson County (2018) — Examines changes in EJC suicide trends over ten years, including how our county’s rates compare to Missouri as a whole.
Back to Top

Health Impact Assessment of Proposed Landfill (2023) — Analyzes the potential health impacts a proposed new landfill would have on residents living nearby.
Civic Engagement & Health (2022) — Explores the link between voting access and population health, including the barriers that disabled and ill voters face in Missouri.
Condom Deserts in Eastern Jackson County (2019) — Analyzes STI rates in EJC compared to concentration of businesses where condoms are sold.
Buckner Walkability Data Brief (2019) — Highly walkable communities typically have healthier residents, ex: lower rates of depression and obesity. This report explores recommendations for increasing walkability in Buckner based on surveyed residents’ concerns.
Climate Change in Jackson County (2018) — Examines how current and future climate changes will impact public health in Jackson County, including locations where adaptations are most needed and ways to build more climate resilience in our communities.
Life Expectancy in Eastern Jackson County (2017) — Analyzes why and how life expectancy varies across EJC cities, even between neighboring zip codes.
Back to Top