How Hi-Crest Helps Move Kansas from #27 Toward #1 in Health

Kansas’s health ranking is not determined in the abstract. It is the sum of what happens in real neighborhoods, with real families, facing real constraints and opportunities. Hi-Crest is one such neighborhood.

Using the 2025 America’s Health Rankings, SENT translated the gap between Kansas (#27) and New Hampshire (#1) into proportional, neighborhood-scale contributions. This approach does not claim that one community can move a state alone. Instead, it demonstrates how many communities doing their part creates statewide change.

In Hi-Crest, progress looks practical and concrete. It means preventing a single firearm death or homicide. It means helping one more household achieve food security. It means expanding access to primary and mental health care through the Southside Wellness Clinic, which has already served nearly 800 patients and launched a holistic maternal health program. It means investing in housing — 219 new units across mixed-income and deeply affordable developments — because housing stability underpins nearly every health outcome.

It also means addressing upstream drivers of poor health. SENT’s Food Is Medicine work, workforce pathways, transportation access, and behavioral health services are designed so neighbors can walk through one door, not twelve. These integrated supports reduce preventable hospitalizations, improve chronic disease management, and add years of life.

When replicated across Kansas, this model scales. Neighborhood by neighborhood, the cumulative effect is fewer premature deaths, lower substance-use harm, stronger families, and healthier communities. Hi-Crest’s contribution shows what is possible when data, strategy, and proximity come together — and how Kansas can continue its movement toward becoming the healthiest state in the nation.

Population assumptions used for localized estimates

Kansas population (used for scaling): 2,970,606
Shawnee County population (used for scaling): 177,942
Hi-Crest community population (assumption): 10,000

How the Shawnee County + Hi-Crest columns are calculated

For most measures (rates, percentages, indices):
- Local “contribution” = (New Hampshire − Kansas) × (Local population ÷ Kansas population)
- This mirrors the 2024 approach: it shows the portion of the statewide change you’d get if only Shawnee County (or Hi‑Crest) closed the gap.
For Public Health Funding ($ per person):
- Local total dollars = (New Hampshire − Kansas) × Local population

Overall ranks and category scores (2024 vs 2025)

Overall rank comparison

State	2024 Overall Rank	2025 Overall Rank	Direction
Kansas	28	27	▲ Improved 1 place
New Hampshire	1	1	● Maintained #1

Category rank comparison

Category	Kansas 2024 Rank	Kansas 2025 Rank	NH 2024 Rank	NH 2025 Rank
Social & Economic Factors	21	20	1	1
Physical Environment	40	42	13	9
Clinical Care	28	30	4	3
Behaviors	36	37	2	2
Health Outcomes	21	25	9	2

How to read this section

2024 ranks come from the 2024 America’s Health Rankings state summary pages.
2025 ranks come from the 2025 America’s Health Rankings state summary pages.
Directional arrows indicate whether the state’s relative standing improved, declined, or held steady year over year.

Overall ranks and category scores (2025 snapshot)

Overall

Kansas: Rank 27 | Score 0.031
New Hampshire: Rank 1 | Score 0.990

Category performance (2025)

Social & Economic Factors: Kansas Rank 20 | Score 0.312 | New Hampshire Rank 1 | Score 0.927
Physical Environment: Kansas Rank 42 | Score −0.058 | New Hampshire Rank 9 | Score 0.513
Clinical Care: Kansas Rank 30 | Score −0.111 | New Hampshire Rank 3 | Score 1.304
Behaviors: Kansas Rank 37 | Score −0.327 | New Hampshire Rank 2 | Score 1.214
Health Outcomes: Kansas Rank 25 | Score 0.099 | New Hampshire Rank 2 | Score 0.889

Snapshot: strengths, challenges, and key findings (from the 2025 state pages)

Kansas — highlights

Strengths

Low prevalence of non-medical drug use
High volunteerism rate
Low-income inequality

Challenges

High prevalence of obesity
High prevalence of cigarette smoking
Low number of mental health providers per 100,000 population

Key findings (directional trends)

Cancer screenings increased (2022 → 2024)
High health status decreased (2014 → 2024)
Arthritis increased (2020 → 2024)
Renewable energy increased (2023 → 2024)

Measure-by-measure comparison (Kansas vs New Hampshire)

The sections below translate the Kansas–New Hampshire gaps into Hi‑Crest–scale operational targets, paired with the specific SENT program levers that contribute to statewide improvement. Tables are intentionally converted into narrative bullets for clarity and usability.

Social & Economic Factors

Firearm Deaths (per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 14.0
- New Hampshire (2025): 9.1
- Gap (NH − KS): −4.9
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.29
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 (≈ 1 death)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For the Hi-Crest neighborhood to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, Hi-Crest would need to decrease firearm deaths by 1 in 2026.
- Theory of Change alignment: Reduced violence through housing stability, trauma-informed care, and neighborhood-level prevention (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability; Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)*
Homicide (per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 6.2
- New Hampshire (2025): 1.7
- Gap (NH − KS): −4.5
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.27
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 (≈ 1 homicide)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For the Hi-Crest neighborhood to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, Hi-Crest would need to decrease homicides by 1 in 2026.
- Theory of Change alignment: Stable housing and behavioral-health supports reduce lethal violence (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability; Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)*
Public Health Funding ($ per person)
- Kansas (2025): $79
- New Hampshire (2025): $158
- Gap (NH − KS): +$79
- Shawnee County contribution: $14,060,418
- Hi-Crest contribution: $140,000
- Notes: Dollar difference multiplied by local population
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For the Hi-Crest neighborhood to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, Hi-Crest would need to increase public health investment by $140,000. SENT has already invested over $40,000 in Southside Wellness Clinic expansion and $10,000 in Food Is Medicine and CSA program design.
- Theory of Change alignment: Upstream public-health investment improves prevention, access, and long-term outcomes (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Behavioral Health Access)*
Food Insecurity (%)
- Kansas (2025): 12.3%
- New Hampshire (2025): 7.5%
- Gap (NH − KS): −4.8 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.29 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 percentage points (≈ 1 household)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For the Hi-Crest neighborhood to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, Hi-Crest would need to help one additional household become food secure.
- Theory of Change alignment: Food security improves physical health, stability, and economic resilience (Goal 1, Objective 2: Food Security & Basic Needs)*

Physical Environment

Air Pollution (PM2.5)
- Kansas (2025): 8.4
- New Hampshire (2025): 6.3
- Gap (NH − KS): −2.1
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.126
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.007
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT will add four new Net Zero homes to the Hi-Crest neighborhood, decreasing fossil-fuel use while increasing affordable housing.
- Theory of Change alignment: Clean-energy housing improves environmental and respiratory health (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability; Goal 3, Objective 3: Environmental & Community Health)*
Drinking Water Violations (%)
- Kansas (2025): 3.7%
- New Hampshire (2025): 0.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): −3.7 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.222 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.012 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): The City of Topeka has a major water-line replacement project scheduled for the Hi-Crest neighborhood.
- Theory of Change alignment: Safe infrastructure reduces environmental health risk (Goal 3, Objective 3: Environmental & Community Health)*
Severe Housing Problems (%)
- Kansas (2025): 14.0%
- New Hampshire (2025): 12.3%
- Gap (NH − KS): −1.7 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.102 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.006 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): The creation of Johnson-Betts Meadows and New Heights, along with SENT in-fill housing, represents 219 new housing units addressing this gap.
- Theory of Change alignment: Increased housing supply reduces instability and overcrowding (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability)*
Transportation Access (%)
- Kansas (2025): 88.0%
- New Hampshire (2025): 93.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): +5.0 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: +0.300 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.017 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT launched a 10-mile transportation program, increased youth attendance from 6–7 to 40 students, is hiring a second driver, and expanded partnerships with the East Topeka Senior Center.
- Theory of Change alignment: Transportation access increases service utilization and opportunity (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability; Goal 2, Objective 1: Workforce Pathways & Access; Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)*

Clinical Care

Primary Care Physicians (per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 141.1
- New Hampshire (2025): 236.9
- Gap (NH − KS): +95.8
- Shawnee County contribution: +5.7
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.7 (≈ 0.7 PCP equivalent)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): In 2025, SENT opened the Southside Wellness Clinic. In less than its first full year of operation, the clinic saw almost 800 patients and added a holistic maternal health program and integrative medicine, expanding local primary-care capacity.
- Theory of Change alignment: Primary care access supports prevention and reduces downstream utilization (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Mental Health Providers (per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 237.6
- New Hampshire (2025): 388.3
- Gap (NH − KS): +150.7
- Shawnee County contribution: +9.0
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.5 provider
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT added a full-time mental health therapist in 2025 and plans to add a Spanish-speaking mental health therapist in 2026, meeting Hi-Crest’s proportional contribution.
- Theory of Change alignment: Expanded behavioral-health access reduces distress and crisis (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Preventable Hospitalizations (per 100,000 Medicare enrollees)
- Kansas (2025): 5,276
- New Hampshire (2025): 3,037
- Gap (NH − KS): −2,239
- Shawnee County contribution: −133.8
- Hi-Crest contribution: −7.5
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT is launching a Food Is Medicine program in 2026 and leading an internal health challenge focused on nutrition and activity to reduce preventable hospital use.
- Theory of Change alignment: Prevention and nutrition reduce avoidable acute care (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Uninsured (%)
- Kansas (2025): 9.2%
- New Hampshire (2025): 5.7%
- Gap (NH − KS): −3.5 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.21 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.01 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT partnered with AmBetter HealthCare in 2025 to provide low-cost primary care and offers sliding-scale services through its indigent clinic model.
- Theory of Change alignment: Coverage and access improve continuity of care (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)

Behaviors

Adult Obesity (%)
- Kansas (2025): 36.6%
- New Hampshire (2025): 25.8%
- Gap (NH − KS): −10.8 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.65 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.04 percentage points (≈ 3–4 adults)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For Hi-Crest to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, the Hi-Crest neighborhood would need to see 3–4 fewer adults living with obesity. SENT prioritizes nutritional security through the Southside Filling Station, healthy meal prep classes, and plans to expand walking and movement-based programming.
- Theory of Change alignment: Improved nutrition and physical activity reduce chronic disease risk (Goal 1, Objective 2: Food Security & Basic Needs; Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Smoking (%)
- Kansas (2025): 17.0%
- New Hampshire (2025): 11.1%
- Gap (NH − KS): −5.9 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.35 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 percentage points (≈ 2 adults)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For Hi-Crest to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, the Hi-Crest neighborhood would need to see 2 fewer adult smokers in 2026. SENT’s Campus Connections team leads anti-vaping and smoking prevention efforts with students and families.
- Theory of Change alignment: Prevention and early intervention reduce long-term morbidity (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Physical Inactivity (%)
- Kansas (2025): 24.6%
- New Hampshire (2025): 18.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): −6.6 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.39 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 percentage points (≈ 2 adults)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For Hi-Crest to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, the Hi-Crest neighborhood would need to see approximately 2 adults become more physically active. SENT and Fellowship Hi-Crest staff are participating in a year-long health challenge and inviting the broader community to join.
- Theory of Change alignment: Regular physical activity improves physical and mental health (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Excessive Drinking (%)
- Kansas (2025): 18.8%
- New Hampshire (2025): 19.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): +0.2 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: +0.01 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.00 percentage points
- Notes: Kansas performs slightly better than New Hampshire
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): Kansas already outperforms New Hampshire on excessive drinking. SENT invested nearly $500,000 in substance-use disorder prevention across schools and community settings in 2025 and plans to continue these investments.
- Theory of Change alignment: Sustained prevention reduces substance-related harm (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)

Health Outcomes

Drug Deaths (per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 20.0
- New Hampshire (2025): 15.0
- Gap (NH − KS): −5.0
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.30
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 (≈ 1 death)
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): For Hi-Crest to do its part in helping Kansas move to #1 in health, Hi-Crest would need to prevent one drug-related death in 2026. SENT continues to expand MAT, group therapy, and plans to add Level 2 SUD care and an additional SUD therapist.
- Theory of Change alignment: Treatment access reduces overdose mortality (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Excessive Drinking (%)
- Kansas (2025): 18.8%
- New Hampshire (2025): 19.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): +0.2 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: +0.01 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.00 percentage points
- Notes: Kansas performs slightly better than New Hampshire
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): Kansas already outperforms New Hampshire. SENT invested nearly $500,000 in substance-use disorder prevention and will continue these efforts.
- Theory of Change alignment: Sustained prevention reduces substance-related harm (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Frequent Mental Distress (%)
- Kansas (2025): 13.9%
- New Hampshire (2025): 11.2%
- Gap (NH − KS): −2.7 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.16 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.01 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT expanded campus-based regulation training, mental health services in schools, parent coaching, and community classes to reduce mental distress.
- Theory of Change alignment: Early mental health intervention improves resilience (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Non-Medical Drug Use (%)
- Kansas (2025): 3.2%
- New Hampshire (2025): 4.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): +0.8 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: +0.05 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: +0.00 percentage points
- Notes: Kansas performs better than New Hampshire
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT’s SUD prevention, school-based education, and treatment expansion help maintain Kansas’s advantage.
- Theory of Change alignment: Prevention and treatment reduce substance misuse (Goal 3, Objective 2: Trauma-informed Wellness Access)
Premature Death (Years of Potential Life Lost per 100,000)
- Kansas (2025): 7,400
- New Hampshire (2025): 5,500
- Gap (NH − KS): −1,900
- Shawnee County contribution: −113.9
- Hi-Crest contribution: −6.4
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT emphasizes holistic wraparound support in 2026 to add years of life by addressing housing, food, health, workforce, and behavioral health together.
- Theory of Change alignment: Integrated supports reduce early mortality (Goal 1, Objective 1: Housing Stability; Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Frequent Physical Distress (%)
- Kansas (2025): 11.8%
- New Hampshire (2025): 9.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): −2.8 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.17 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.01 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT’s holistic approach to prevention, nutrition, physical activity, and care coordination targets reductions in physical distress.
- Theory of Change alignment: Prevention and care coordination reduce physical suffering (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Low Birth Weight (%)
- Kansas (2025): 7.3%
- New Hampshire (2025): 6.2%
- Gap (NH − KS): −1.1 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.07 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.00 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT’s 10–12 month maternal wraparound program supported 7 healthy births in 2025 and continues to expand in 2026.
- Theory of Change alignment: Maternal support improves birth outcomes (Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Multiple Chronic Conditions (%)
- Kansas (2025): 28.0%
- New Hampshire (2025): 22.0%
- Gap (NH − KS): −6.0 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.36 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.02 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): SENT’s nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease prevention, and care coordination efforts target reductions in multiple chronic conditions.
- Theory of Change alignment: Lifestyle and care integration reduce chronic disease burden (Goal 1, Objective 2: Food Security & Basic Needs; Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)
Obesity (%)
- Kansas (2025): 36.6%
- New Hampshire (2025): 25.8%
- Gap (NH − KS): −10.8 percentage points
- Shawnee County contribution: −0.65 percentage points
- Hi-Crest contribution: −0.04 percentage points
- Notes: Scaled by population share
- So what? (SENT program lever + Operational translation): Obesity reduction aligns with SENT’s nutrition security, meal prep classes, physical activity promotion, and Food Is Medicine initiatives.
- Theory of Change alignment: Nutrition and activity improve long-term health (Goal 1, Objective 2: Food Security & Basic Needs; Goal 3, Objective 1: Preventive & Primary Care Access)

All numeric values are derived from the 2025 America’s Health Rankings. Bullet format preserves full table content while improving readability for decision-makers.

2025 America’s Health Rankings – Hi-Crest Contribution Summary

How Hi-Crest Contributes to Kansas Moving Toward #1 in Health

Context Kansas currently ranks #27 in the 2025 America’s Health Rankings. New Hampshire ranks #1. This summary translates the Kansas–New Hampshire gap into Hi-Crest–scale contributions, showing how neighborhood-level action supports statewide improvement.

Population basis

Kansas: 2,970,606
Shawnee County: 177,942
Hi-Crest: 10,000

What Progress Looks Like at the Hi-Crest Scale

Social & Economic Factors

Prevent 1 firearm death and 1 homicide in 2026
Increase public health investment by $140,000 (SENT has already committed $50,000)
Help 1 additional household become food secure

Physical Environment

Add 4 Net Zero homes, reducing air pollution and energy burden
City of Topeka completes water-line replacement to eliminate drinking water violations
Begin the delivery of over 219 new housing units through Johnson-Betts Meadows, New Heights, and in-fill housing
Expand transportation access through SENT’s 10-mile transportation program

Clinical Care

Expand primary care access through the Southside Wellness Clinic (≈800 patients served in first full year)
Add 0.5 mental health provider equivalent through staffing expansion
Reduce preventable hospitalizations via Food Is Medicine and prevention efforts
Decrease the uninsured rate through low-cost coverage partnerships and sliding-scale care

Behaviors

Support 3–4 fewer adults living with obesity
Reduce smoking by ≈2 adults
Increase physical activity for ≈2 adults
Sustain Kansas’s advantage over New Hampshire in excessive drinking through prevention

Health Outcomes

Prevent 1 drug-related death in 2026
Reduce frequent mental and physical distress
Add years of life by reducing premature death
Improve birth outcomes through maternal wraparound care
Reduce multiple chronic conditions through nutrition, activity, and care coordination

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2025 America’s Health Rankings — Kansas (#27) vs New Hampshire (#1)