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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…
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Emergency psychiatric unit fills urgent need for mental health care in Kentucky
BY VIKKI FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY Since opening its doors on July 30, UK HealthCare’s Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing unit has already helped more than 1,800 people get the help they need. The goal of EmPATH is to decompress emergency departments and inpatient units and promote better outcomes through rapid treatment access in…
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National Blood Donor Month underway at Kentucky Blood Center
Donors will receive ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ sweatshirt In recognition of those who regularly roll up their sleeves to save lives, Kentucky Blood Center and blood banks across the country are celebrating National Blood Donor Month in January. KBC is taking part in the celebration with a limited-edition “Drop It Like It’s Hot” crew…
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New federal rule aims to prevent coal operators from shifting black lung liabilities to taxpayers
by Caity Coyne, Kentucky LanternDecember 30, 2024 A new final rule was issued by the federal Department of Labor earlier this month that will require coal operators who self-insure to post adequate security bonds that cover all of their black lung benefit liabilities. The rule comes as a protection for coal miners who currently or could…
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Not all expectant moms can reach a doctor’s office. This Kentucky clinic travels to them.
by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky LanternDecember 24, 2024 This story mentions miscarriage. PRESTONSBURG — Brooke Thacker tried for years to have a baby, having miscarriage after miscarriage along the way. Finally, her dream came true and she gave birth to a baby boy this fall. She believes her smooth birth wouldn’t have been possible without the…
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Holiday eating: December pleasures, holiday regret
We do not have to eat ourselves to death to enjoy the holidays. I am including myself when I say this. I gained 2 pounds just from Thanksgiving Day alone. Finally, I had lost a few pounds and presto, faster than the twinkling of an eye I gained two back. It’s easy to do. I…
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Study: Obesity rates skyrocket among Kentucky youth
BY NADIA RAMLAGAN KY NEWS CONNECTION More than one in three children is now overweight or obese, according to new research published in the Lancet medical journal. The study found while Kentucky and other southern states are forecast to continue seeing rising levels of childhood obesity, some other states, such as Utah, will experience even…
Tag: Health
