Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS Videos

You don't have to do it alone - taking care of your mental health will save your life. Connect with someone today by calling or texting 988.

While ticks and mosquitoes are part of our natural environment, it's important to know how to prevent them in order to steer clear of harmful diseases. Since March 2024, there have been over 375 emergency department visits in Kansas related to tick bites. These numbers indicate that the tick season is happening earlier than in previous years. Reducing your risk of tick exposure is your best step to keep you and your family safe: 🔹 Use EPA-registered repellants containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 🔹 Wear long pants tucked into socks or boots if spending time in grassy or wooded areas 🔹 Treat pets with prevention methods 🔹 Shower after spending time outdoors 🔹 Check for ticks - specifically in and around hair, inside the belly button, around the waist and between the legs

From health care workers to educators, firefighters to law enforcement, public servants play a vital role in our daily lives. Let's show our gratitude and celebrate the invaluable contributions of public service workers. Their efforts make a difference every day!

From health care workers to educators, firefighters to law enforcement, public servants play a vital role in our daily lives. Let's show our gratitude and celebrate the invaluable contributions of public service workers. Their efforts make a difference every day!

We spent time at the Governor's Public Health Conference asking folks their favorite part about working in public health. Tell us your favorite thing about public health in the comments!

We're excited for lake season to start, but that also means harmful algal bloom (HAB) season begins too. Cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue-green algae, are aquatic bacteria that naturally exist in lakes, rivers, ponds and marine waters. They can produce harmful toxins to humans and animals. During the season, we will regularly post advisories for lakes in the state of Kansas. Take a moment to learn how to keep you and your family safe: https://bit.ly/4cGmkZ2.

Prairie burning season continues in the Flint Hills of Oklahoma and Kansas. While this process is a needed technique to manage and preserve the ecosystem of the tallgrass prairie, smoke can affect air quality. To learn about how to protect yourself when air is in your community, visit: https://bit.ly/3PxfmvC.

Today is World Oral Health Day! Did you know our Bureau of Oral Health partners with schools districts in Kansas to provide dental screenings for students in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade? Dental screenings are important for our overall health, and this is one of the ways we work to identify and address dental needs and services in communities statewide. Learn more about the Bureau's work: https://bit.ly/3Jhf71Y.

It's National Groundwater Week! Over 70% of the earth is covered in water. Of that water, only 1% is available for human use and within that 1%, nearly all of it is stored below our feet as groundwater. Groundwater is the water we drink, the water that grows food and the water that helps recharge rivers and lakes. We all rely on it in some way and it's important to know how to take care of it. Learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/43rAzNi.

In partnership with Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, we hosted a World Rabies Day poster competition to help spread the word about rabies, help recognize potential wildlife rabies reservoirs and help prevent rabies transmission. We had quite a few entries from all over the state of Kansas so it wasn’t an easy decision, but we were able to select a first and second place in each category. Join us in congratulating these students on their posters! Learn more and see the posters: kdhe.ks.gov/rabies. #OneHealth #Rabies #RabiesPrevention

Do you know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning? Learn more by watching the video and taking the steps to prevent it in the future.

Add a bit of green to your holiday by following these tips & tricks ♻🌲🎁

Spices are one of the best ways to add flavor, but make sure to leave lead off the menu this holiday season. Purchasing spices locally may decrease your risk of lead poisoning. Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/foods-cosmetics-medicines.htm. #LeadPoisoning #LeadAware #HowWeHoliday #Thanksgiving

There's a spook in the air here at KDHE. From our family to yours, have a safe and happy Halloween! 👻🎃