Located on both KCU campuses in Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri, the Center for Population Health and Equity (CPHE) actively works to reduce health disparities that affect underserved populations in these areas. Rooted in KCU's mission to enhance community well-being, the CPHE offers students experiential learning and volunteer opportunities aimed at transforming healthcare delivery and fostering systemic change within communities.
Mission
The CPHE aims to address and understand social determinants of health by collaborating with local organizations. This prepares students to practice in osteopathic medicine, clinical psychology and dentistry with a holistic understanding of the factors affecting patient and community health.
Key CPHE Initiatives
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This longstanding preventive health outreach program serves over 11,000 children annually in Kansas City and Joplin by offering health screenings in elementary schools.
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Student Health Advocate Program
In collaboration with community organizations, this program seeks to improve access to care and connect individuals with critical resources by pairing KCU students with community members to support navigation of the health system. -
School Mental Health Partnership
This initiative places KCU’s clinical psychology doctoral students in public elementary schools to conduct psychological assessments and provide reports under the supervision of licensed school psychologists, addressing the growing need for accessible mental health services. -
CPHE Research Lab
The lab supports research by students, faculty, staff and community members in the areas of population health, public health and health policy. A key output will be the Health of the Heartland Report, a collaborative effort featuring case studies that examine health issues affecting urban and rural populations.