Social Determinants of Health Dashboard

Advancing the common good is less about helping one person at a time and more about changing systems and removing barriers to help everyone reach their potential.

United Way’s focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs address local disparities and inequities within the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework so that everyone can reach their full potential. SDOH summarizes elements of our environment, beyond personal and physical health outcomes, that impact each person’s ability to have a healthy, productive life. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, factors are grouped into five categories:

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH DASHBOARD

United Way of the Plains has compiled public data to measure our community’s progress of key indicators within the SDOH framework. This dashboard is intended to guide critical thinking, facilitate conversations with various community stakeholders and track our community’s progress.

Interpreting the Dashboard

The dashboard compares the conditions in the city of Wichita with the average for the state of Kansas. When city level data was not available, county level data was used. These data points are noted with an *.

Arrows: Arrows indicate how the conditions of Wichita compare to that of the state of Kansas.

Wichita conditions are better than the average for the state of Kansas

Wichita conditions are comparable to the average for the state of Kansas
(+/- 1%)

Wichita conditions are worse than the average for the state of Kansas

Source Information: Click on the arrow for source documentation on that key indicator.

Education equips people with skills they need to personally thrive and contribute to their community. A quality education leads to a stable job, income that can support a family through retirement and good health.

Children Enrolled in Preschool

Preschool graduates have improved academic readiness and higher high school graduation rates.

61% of preschool children are not enrolled

Kansas average:
57% not enrolled

3rd Grade Reading Proficiency

Students not reading at a proficient level fall behind and are at a higher risk of not graduating.

80% of 3rd graders are not proficient

Kansas average:
63% not proficient

8th Grade Math Proficiency

Scores indicate overall school performance and predict the likelihood of graduating high school.

90% of 8th graders are not proficient

Kansas average:
80% not proficient

Graduation
Rates

Graduating high school is essential for a student’s social and economic advancement.

20% of students did not graduate

Kansas average:
11% did not graduate

A child with a toothache is distracted from learning. Adults with chronic conditions often miss work, affecting their earnings. Access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare impacts one’s ability to live their best life. 

Health Insurance Coverage

Those without coverage have difficulty affording treatment or prescription medications.

13% do not have health insurance

Kansas average:
9% do not have coverage

Infant Mortality
Rate

Rates reflect quality and access to care, public health practices and socioeconomic conditions.

0

of every 1,000 births result in infant death*

Kansas average:
6 in every 1,000 births

Food Insecurity
Rate

Accessible, available and affordable food options increase the likelihood of an active, healthy lifestyle.

11% are food insecure*

Kansas average:
10% are food insecure

Obesity
Rates

Obesity increases the risk of health conditions, which leads to higher spending on healthcare.

35% of adults are obese

Kansas average:
36% are obese

The elements of your lived context – housing, neighborhood and environment – impact your health and safety. Access to safe housing, transportation, healthy food and exercise increase one’s ability to thrive. 

Severe Housing Problems

Reflects overcrowding, high housing costs, or a lack of kitchen/plumbing facilities.

14% of households experience severe housing conditions*

Kansas average:
13%

Vehicle
Availability

A vehicle provides access to essential needs, such as groceries, doctor’s offices and employment.

6% of households do not have a vehicle 

Kansas average:
5% do not have a vehicle

Violent Crime
Rate

Violent crimes impact victims physically, emotionally, and financially.

0

violent crimes per 1,000 people

Kansas average:
4 per 1,000

Access to Exercise Opportunities

Physical activity lowers the risk of many, serious health conditions.

18% of adults do not have access to exercise opportunities*

Kansas average:
20% do not have access

Positive relationships with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors provide a support system to help navigate challenging situations. Social support and community engagement are critical for improving people’s health and wellbeing. 

People 65+ Living Alone

Those 65+ and living alone may be at risk for social isolation, limited access to  support or in poorer health.

32% of people 65+ are living alone

Kansas average:
28% living alone

Individuals with a Disability

Those living independently with a disability experience limitations physically, socially and/or financially.

14% of the population is living with a disability

Kansas average:
13% with a disability

Individuals with 3+ Risk Factors

Risk factors include demographic, socioeconomic and housing elements.

20% of individuals have 3 or more risk factors*

Kansas average:
19% have 3+ risk factors

2020 Presidential Election Voter Turnout

Voter turnout reflects the level of civic engagement in a community.

30% of registered voters did not vote*

Kansas average:
29% did not vote

Earning a steady income allows people to achieve economic stability and meet their basic needs, like food, health care and housing. 

Unemployment
Rate

Employment provides income and benefits for financial success and healthy lifestyle choices.

3% unemployement rate

Kansas average:
2.9% unemployed

Median Household Income

Higher incomes reflect a more educated population who have more disposable income and better access to healthcare.

$0

Kansas average:
$64,124

Cost Burdened Renters

Renters who spend 30%+ of their income on housing, limiting their budget for other necessities.

44% of renters are cost burdened

Kansas average:
43% are burdened

Population
Unbanked

Those without a bank account spend more to cash paychecks or use predatory lending services.

7% of adults are unbanked

Kansas average:
4% are unbanked

Dashboard updated June 2023. 

OUR FOCUS

Our focus is on health, education, financial stability and basic needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Click below to learn more about what we’re doing, the programs we invest in and our lasting impact in each area.

Icon of a heart and heartbeat for health and wellbeing.
Health
Icon of an apple sitting on top of a school textbook.
Education
Financial
Stability
Basic needs addresses access to food, shelter, safety and utility assistance.
Basic Needs