Leading Health: How You and 30,000 Kansans Help Communities Thrive

by Ed O'Malley

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 access 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.

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Chris Tilden · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Karla Hagemeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cheri Koochel · Rating 5 out of 5]

All leaders should read this book. Common sense strategies to get Kansas to lead the nation in Health, your ability to thrive.