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UK’s colon and lung cancer research described as ‘groundbreaking’ and ‘surprising’
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Researchers at the University of Kentucky looked at the differences in the colon cancer tumors from Appalachian and non-Appalachian patients as a way to try to explain the high mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Appalachian Kentucky. The interdisciplinary team of researchers focused on analyzing samples from patients diagnosed
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Health officials report measles case in Kentucky
BY MELISSA PATRICK KY HEALTH NEWS Health officials from the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced a confirmed case of measles in a Kentucky resident on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The resident had recently traveled internationally to an area with ongoing measles transmission. The health department reports that the infected adult had attended the Planet Fitness
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Two sides of Ozempic: Weight loss success and health nightmares
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH For some, the weight loss drug Ozempic “is life-changing,” but for others, ‘it’s a nightmare,” Valerie Chinn reports for WDRB. Lucinda Mason, a Mt. Washington resident who has lost 100 pounds and kept it off, told Chinn that her experience with the drug has been positive and has dramatically improved
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42 state attorneys general call for surgeon general’s warning on social media platforms
BY MELISSA PATRICK KY HEALTH NEWS Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced that Kentucky is part of a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general who are calling for federal legislation to require a surgeon general’s warning on social media sites, similar to what is on cigarette and alcohol containers. “As state Attorneys General, we sometimes
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Every household can get four free COVID-19 tests through the mail starting in late September
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Starting in late September, the federal government will relaunch its at-home COVID-19 test program that makes every U.S. household eligible for four free COVID-19 tests to be sent directly to their home. The test, which can be ordered from COVIDTests.gov at the end of September, will detect the current
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FDA approves first at-home test for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection on the rise
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS As cases of syphilis continue to increase across the nation and in Kentucky, the announcement of a new at-home syphilis test that was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is timely. “The rise in syphilis infection rates is a serious and alarming public health concern,” Dr.
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Updated COVID-19 vaccines approved; recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older
BY MELISSA PATRICK KY HEALTH NEWS As the number of COVID-19 infections grows in Kentucky, two updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that are designed to better protect against the most recent strains of the virus. “We are very excited to see the latest COVID boosters approved,”
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Men’s Health Month a reminder to schedule preventive screenings
BY MELISSA PATRICK KY HEALTH NEWS Men’s Health Month in June is a reminder for men to think about their health and consider making some screening appointments that could lengthen, or even save, their lives. Why is it so important for men to take care of themselves? For one thing, on average in the United
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UK hosts national meeting to raise immunization rate for vaccine against cervical and other HPV cancers, in which Kentucky leads U.S.
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Kentucky leads the nation in the rate of cases of and deaths from cervical cancer, a disease that is largely preventable by a vaccine. The vaccine targets the human papillomavirus, which can cause cancers of the cervix, genitals, anus, neck and head. Kentucky also leads the nation in cancers
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Lottery system will determine who gets 48 licenses for retailers and 10 for processors of medical cannabis in 11 Kentucky regions
BY MELISSA PATRICK KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS Gov. Andy Beshear gave an update on the medical cannabis licensing program Thursday after signing this year’s medical cannabis bill into law the day before. “We have worked hard to create a safe system that limits or eliminates abuse while still providing relief to that veteran suffering from PTSD
