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Poll: Belief in false measles claims correlated with lower vaccination rates
BY JENNIFER SHUTT Kentucky Lantern WASHINGTON — Americans are increasingly unsure what to believe about measles as an outbreak spreads throughout the country, according to a survey released Wednesday by the nonpartisan health research organization KFF. The poll shows that nearly a quarter of those asked believe a commonly repeated false claim that getting a child…
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Free webinar about red meat allergy; Kentucky ranks among top states for condition
BY JORDAN STRICKLER UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY In response to rising concerns and increasing numbers of individuals impacted by Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also known as red meat allergy, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment will host a free statewide webinar on May 29. Alpha-Gal Syndrome is triggered primarily by bites from the…
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Healthy Happenings: WIC Shopper app is a must-have
BY DOROTHY DILLON If you are a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participant, the WIC Shopper app is a must-have tool to make shopping for WIC-approved foods easier and stress-free. With just a few taps, you can: Using the WIC Shopper app helps ensure you are getting the right foods…
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Healthy Happenings: HANDS is here to help
BY DOROTHY DILLON Parenting comes with big changes—HANDS is here to help. The HANDS Program is a free support program for families from pregnancy until their child turns 3 years old. To participate, you must enroll during pregnancy or before your baby reaches 3 months old. Unlike WIC, the HANDS program is NOT income-based. With…
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UK research uncovers hidden health effects of disrupted sleep, circadian rhythms
BY ERIN WICKEY UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY The University of Kentucky’s Julie Pendergast and a team of researchers are exploring how disruptions to the body’s natural circadian rhythms and sleep impact health. “Overwhelming evidence suggests that irregular circadian and sleep patterns, such as inconsistent bedtimes, wake times and eating schedules, are linked to increased risks of…
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Bill to provide free feminine hygiene products in schools fails again, despite need
BY ELLA DENTON KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS For more than 30 years, Kentucky lawmakers have filed bills to provide free access to feminine hygiene products for elementary and secondary students. And every year, including this one, those efforts have failed. Samantha Sams, head principal of Second Street School in Frankfort, told Kentucky Health News that she…
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Kentucky has ‘very high’ rate of respiratory illness
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Kentucky is seeing a “very high” rate of respiratory illness, especially among children. “We are seeing somewhere between 10 to 20 patients each day in the children’s hospital needing admissions,” Dr. Lindsay Ragsdale, chief medical officer for Kentucky Children’s Hospital, said at an online press conference on Jan. 17. Statewide,…
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Shoveling snow poses heart risk for some
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS With the immediate threat of more snow over, many Kentuckians have been picking up their shovels to make sure their driveways and sidewalks are cleared — but health experts caution that shoveling snow can lead to an increased risk of a heart attack for some. “The real problem is…
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State health initiative focuses on diabetes
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS The focus of January’s “Our Healthy Kentucky Home” initiative is diabetes, a disease that impacts nearly one in seven Kentucky adults. “Almost 14% of Kentucky adults — that’s more than 480,000 people — have diabetes and another 14% of adults have pre-diabetes, which increases their risk of becoming diabetic…
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Healthy Happenings: Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks
BY DOROTHY DILLON Secondhand smoke isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a serious health risk. Breathing in secondhand smoke exposes you to over 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 that can cause cancer. It can harm everyone, especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. Protect your loved ones by creating smoke-free spaces at home and…
Tag: Health
