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Leading Health: How You and 30,000 Kansans Help Communities Thrive
When you think about health, what comes up? Doctors and hospitals. Physical therapy and cancer screenings. Maybe exercise and diet.
In Leading Health, Ed O’Malley, the CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation, wants to expand your definition of Health. Did you know that voter participation, elementary school literacy rates, and broadband aspect are all predictors of community health and life expectancy? And did you know that Kansas’ Health ranking among other U.S. states is dropping?
And if those broader societal measures matter than we all have a role to play in leading the efforts to improve Health in Kansas. Leading Health shows us how.
In Leading Health, Ed O’Malley, the CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation, wants to expand your definition of Health. Did you know that voter participation, elementary school literacy rates, and broadband aspect are all predictors of community health and life expectancy? And did you know that Kansas’ Health ranking among other U.S. states is dropping?
And if those broader societal measures matter than we all have a role to play in leading the efforts to improve Health in Kansas. Leading Health shows us how.
208 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 23, 2026
If anyone is qualified to write a book about how Kansas could and should position itself to reverse the worsening health of its residents (since 1991 Kansas has slipped from the eight healthiest state in the country to 29th, according to America's Health Rankings, and experiences significant disparities depending on where you live, the color of your skin, income, and other factors), it is Kansas Health Foundation president Ed O'Malley. Ed is a creative, passionate, and experienced health strategist who has, for many years, worked with staff at KHF and many other partners to improve health of Kansans. But KHF and their partners cannot solve this problem on their own. His new book provides insight into how Kansas might stem the tide and work towards becoming the healthiest state in the nation. He doesn't offer a roadmap or policy prescriptions; rather, he outlines how it will take leadership from the "30,000 Kansans" (elected government leaders, business executives, non-profit directors, state agency leads, and others) to adopt nine mindsets needed for greater progress (described in detail in this book) and mobilize Kansans to work on policy, systems, and environmental changes necessary for Kansas to lead the nation in health...and not in health care, in "big H" Health. I can only hope Kansas' 30,000 will read, take to heart, and commit to the journey required to move us forward. I'm excited to be a part of that journey!
December 22, 2025
A quick, yet powerful read that fits incredibly well with our work to address persistent poverty in Riley County. The KS Health Foundation provided the grant that supported our first gathering in November, and I see reducing poverty as being a key way to improve health. This was an encouraging read that I will return to often.
March 20, 2026
I read this book. I know the author and appreciate his straight forward approach to solving a vital issue. This book is relevant even if you don’t have Kansas connections. It is a guide to great leadership.
January 12, 2026
All leaders should read this book. Common sense strategies to get Kansas to lead the nation in Health, your ability to thrive.
April 1, 2026
What does Health mean to you? The CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation, Ed O’Malley, expands the definition of Health. Winston Churchill believed, “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country could have.” According to America’s Health Rankings, Kansas was rated eighth in the nation in 1991; unfortunately, in 2023 Kansas had fallen to twenty-ninth nationally. O’Malley focused on “Health = your ability to thrive” rather than “health = health care, sick care.”
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) defines Health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Deteriorating issues include: drought urgency, chemical implications, water violations, foster care complications, inadequate nutrition, prolific screen time, and other factors. While 69 percent of Kansans don’t experience enough “physical, mental, and social well-being,” others maintain a fitness level but may face obstacles comprising: “housing, childcare, food, transportation, medical care, safety, and technology” deprivation.
O’Malley highlighted a United Way term for the working poor, ALICE: “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” Those on a “survival budget” especially Black and Hispanic households encounter these deficiencies. Issues that dimmish Health may also comprise: lack of affordable and available housing, insurance coverage, civic engagement, and other concerns. Elementary school literacy rates, education, economic opportunity, broadband access, climate, substance abuse, and race remain weaknesses. It is no surprise, volunteerism, clinical care, proper nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral health also influence the state’s ranking. A direct correlation between zip code disparity and life expectancy exists. Your address should not determine your Health.
In Leading Health, O’Malley’s mindsets recommend designing “policy and programmatic changes to improve Health outcomes” and embracing a bold vision, connecting charitable and philanthropic efforts for self-sufficiency among additional strategies. Examining the symptoms, a diagnosis, and the prescription will mobilize Kansans to care and “improve Health.” The Kansas state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera: To the Stars, through Difficulties,” encourages collaboration, hope, and transformation with tactical actions. Those on a “survival budget” are predictors of community condition and life expectancy.
O’Malley did not shame or blame any single person, profession, or policymaker for the insurance gap, rural hospital closures, expensive treatments, hunger, homelessness, economic hardships, or any shortfalls. A “stop the blead” attitude is essential in identifying the situation before collaborating and creating solutions. While a group or community may not agree on a big issue, people may concede there is a small problem to be addressed. Tackling a minor challenge may create more accountability and justice resulting in progress. Avoid formulating unrealistic expectations and resentments, since “the devil is in the assumptions.”
You have the potential to contribute and optimize your talents to advance the disadvantaged. “You can’t do everything. But you can do something…to reverse our Health slide, close the Health Gap, and help Kansas lead the nation in Health.” Learning and executing what you have realized remain the adaptive and technical challenges that will are worth exploring and will move us forward. “If our broader societal measures matter, then we all have a role to play in leading the efforts to improve Health.”
Several Kansans were praised for their mentorship, especially K-State Coach Bill Snyder who proclaimed, “Health is everything…” and Kansas University Coach Bill Self who quoted Mark Twain’s advice to “Aim above the mark to hit the mark.” Retired Koch Industries CFO Steve Feilmeir established loans to homeowners, small businesses, and developers at discounts. Nonprofits: Club Parkinson’s, Habitat for Humanity, the Greater Wichita YMCAs, Kansas City’s Kanbe’s Markets, Stand Together, and other philanthropic forces demonstrate excellence.
Access the Leading Health Podcast https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealt... and supplemental Kansas Health Foundation resources https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealth/. Email Ed your Health proposals, since he invited a conversation and encouraged readers to “focus on the Health rankings rather than your preferred issue.” Avoid working in a silo and combine forces focusing systemically on Health first. How will you mobilize, disrupt, and model Leading Health closing the Health gap beyond “30,000 Kansans Helping Communities Thrive”?
O’Malley’s enthusiasm, devotion, tenacity, and vision engage and inspire the reader. Grateful for Bard Press and their sustainable sapling program committed to planting trees through the “US National Forests providing fresh air, clean water, and habitat protections.”
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) defines Health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Deteriorating issues include: drought urgency, chemical implications, water violations, foster care complications, inadequate nutrition, prolific screen time, and other factors. While 69 percent of Kansans don’t experience enough “physical, mental, and social well-being,” others maintain a fitness level but may face obstacles comprising: “housing, childcare, food, transportation, medical care, safety, and technology” deprivation.
O’Malley highlighted a United Way term for the working poor, ALICE: “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” Those on a “survival budget” especially Black and Hispanic households encounter these deficiencies. Issues that dimmish Health may also comprise: lack of affordable and available housing, insurance coverage, civic engagement, and other concerns. Elementary school literacy rates, education, economic opportunity, broadband access, climate, substance abuse, and race remain weaknesses. It is no surprise, volunteerism, clinical care, proper nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral health also influence the state’s ranking. A direct correlation between zip code disparity and life expectancy exists. Your address should not determine your Health.
In Leading Health, O’Malley’s mindsets recommend designing “policy and programmatic changes to improve Health outcomes” and embracing a bold vision, connecting charitable and philanthropic efforts for self-sufficiency among additional strategies. Examining the symptoms, a diagnosis, and the prescription will mobilize Kansans to care and “improve Health.” The Kansas state motto, “Ad Astra per Aspera: To the Stars, through Difficulties,” encourages collaboration, hope, and transformation with tactical actions. Those on a “survival budget” are predictors of community condition and life expectancy.
O’Malley did not shame or blame any single person, profession, or policymaker for the insurance gap, rural hospital closures, expensive treatments, hunger, homelessness, economic hardships, or any shortfalls. A “stop the blead” attitude is essential in identifying the situation before collaborating and creating solutions. While a group or community may not agree on a big issue, people may concede there is a small problem to be addressed. Tackling a minor challenge may create more accountability and justice resulting in progress. Avoid formulating unrealistic expectations and resentments, since “the devil is in the assumptions.”
You have the potential to contribute and optimize your talents to advance the disadvantaged. “You can’t do everything. But you can do something…to reverse our Health slide, close the Health Gap, and help Kansas lead the nation in Health.” Learning and executing what you have realized remain the adaptive and technical challenges that will are worth exploring and will move us forward. “If our broader societal measures matter, then we all have a role to play in leading the efforts to improve Health.”
Several Kansans were praised for their mentorship, especially K-State Coach Bill Snyder who proclaimed, “Health is everything…” and Kansas University Coach Bill Self who quoted Mark Twain’s advice to “Aim above the mark to hit the mark.” Retired Koch Industries CFO Steve Feilmeir established loans to homeowners, small businesses, and developers at discounts. Nonprofits: Club Parkinson’s, Habitat for Humanity, the Greater Wichita YMCAs, Kansas City’s Kanbe’s Markets, Stand Together, and other philanthropic forces demonstrate excellence.
Access the Leading Health Podcast https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealt... and supplemental Kansas Health Foundation resources https://kansashealth.org/leadinghealth/. Email Ed your Health proposals, since he invited a conversation and encouraged readers to “focus on the Health rankings rather than your preferred issue.” Avoid working in a silo and combine forces focusing systemically on Health first. How will you mobilize, disrupt, and model Leading Health closing the Health gap beyond “30,000 Kansans Helping Communities Thrive”?
O’Malley’s enthusiasm, devotion, tenacity, and vision engage and inspire the reader. Grateful for Bard Press and their sustainable sapling program committed to planting trees through the “US National Forests providing fresh air, clean water, and habitat protections.”
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews