Handwashing Education Grants Awarded to Communities

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has been awarded a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation in the amount of $125,000 to conduct a one-year statewide handwashing education campaign. The grant designates $65,000 to be awarded for handwashing education at the local level. The one-year campaign will use direct education and media messages to reach Kansans, especially children and food service workers.

“Effective handwashing reduces the risk of spreading numerous diseases, including the flu, which is spread person-to-person,” stated Dr. Howard Rodenberg, Director of the KDHE Division of Health and State Health Officer. “Handwashing can also cut down on foodborne diseases like salmonella and e-coli, which is why food workers are required under the Kansas Food Code to wash their hands.”

Sixteen agencies applied for and received funding from KDHE to promote handwashing education and influenza prevention activities in their communities. Those awards went to: City-Cowley County Health Department, Crawford County Health Department, Flint Hills Community Health Center, Ford County Health Department, Harper County Health Department, Jefferson County Health Department, Johnson County Environmental Department, Junction City-Geary County Health Department, Lane County Health Department, Meade County Health Department, Pottawatomie County Health Department, Reno County Health Department, Riley County Health Department, Russell County Health Department, Salina-Saline County Health Department, and Stevens County Health Department.

The campaign will join KDHE with local and industry partners in an effort to increase public awareness of the importance of effective handwashing in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.

If you would like to participate in increasing handwashing awareness in your community or business , contact Pam Barnum, Public Health Educator at (785) 296-5600 or visit www.kdheks.gov/bch/.

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