A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

St. Elizabeth earns Gold Safe Sleep Hospital certification for dedication to baby sleep safety

St. Elizabeth Healthcare has been recognized as a Gold Safe Sleep Hospital by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The certification is awarded by Cribs for Kids®, a national safe sleep organization dedicated to baby sleep safety. Safe sleep (Photo provided) Leaders at St. Elizabeth worked for two years to complete...

Focusing on one activity, or ‘sports specialization,’ in young athletes can do more harm than good

By Dr. Ben Wilson University of Kentucky “Sports specialization” is a topic that’s come to the forefront in recent years, meaning athletes that are playing one particular sport, especially year round. This is at the exclusion of other activities that they would otherwise be doing, which can have negative effects on the athlete. How does sports specialization affect young athletes? Sports...

Kentucky still ranks high on obesity rates — is now #2 for overweight children; health is impacted

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky ties with Wisconsin for the nation’s ninth-highest adult obesity rate, an improvement from second-highest last year, but Kentucky children aged 10-17 still have one of the nation’s highest rates, No. 2, after ranking first last year. The 20th annual State of Obesity report from Trust for America’s Health says 37.7% of Kentucky...

Dr. Susan Bushelman’s Derm Aesthetics opens in Florence, offering help for skin issues

By Patricia A. Scheyer NKyTribune reporter Dr. Susan Bushelman would like people to realize their dreams of looking their best all the time. That’s why she has opened Derm Aesthetics at 8275 Ewing Boulevard, right down the street from her medical practice Derm Associates, where she and her associate doctors see people regularly for any skin conditions. “People always ask me about what they...

Governor declares ‘Recovery Month,’ supports more recovery spending from Opioid Abatement funds

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News More than 200 people attended an event to mark National Recovery Month on Friday in the state Capitol, hearing a message that recovery is possible — along with “grave concerns” from Gov. Andy Beshear about how the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission may spend the millions coming to the state from lawsuit settlements with opioid makers and...

Matt and Jennifer Westwood named ‘community health care champions’ for Chelsea Ryann Festival

Staff report WellCare of Kentucky, one of the companies that manages Medicaid coverage for the state, honored nine people as “community health champions” for their efforts to improve the physical and mental well-being of Kentuckians. Matt and Jennifer Westwood of NKY were among the winners of one of the eight regional awards. Gov. Andy Beshear spoke at the event recognizing the health-care...

University of Kentucky vaccine expert answers common questions about new COVID booster

By Dr. Vince Venditto University of Kentucky As the weather gets colder and gatherings move indoors, vaccines remain the safest and most effective way to protect ourselves from COVID-19. On Sept. 11, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the updated mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccines to align with the currently circulating variants. The vaccines are recommended for everyone six months and older...

NKY region named ‘Recovery Ready Communities’ for commitment to addiction recovery support

Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Northern Kentucky region, representing Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton counties, and Perry and Woodford counties have been designated as Recovery Ready Communities for their commitment to providing residents with access to addiction treatment and recovery support and removing barriers to the workforce. These counties make up the latest round to be approved for...

Functional family therapy may be an alternative for families struggling to make changes for the better

By Jennifer Connor Godbey University of Kentucky Functional family therapy, or FFT, has been used in residential programs with at-risk juveniles who struggle to live at home or are dealing with abusive situations. It’s a form of therapy where all members of a family are involved in the treatment. This way, the burden of resolving issues in the group does not fall to the one person who has received...

Freestanding birth centers touted to Kentucky lawmakers studying certificate of need law

By Sarah Ladd Kentucky Lantern Kentucky legislators once again heard arguments in favor of removing the state’s certificate of need requirements for freestanding birth centers during a Monday task force meeting. The certificate of need requirement mandates regulatory mechanisms for approving major capital expenditures and projects for certain health care facilities, according to the National Conference...

Ben Chandler leads support for research into addiction treatment at opioid panel’s final hearing

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Twenty-three people spoke in favor of funding the development of an opioid-use disorder treatment using the psychedelic drug ibogaine with some of the state’s opoid-settlement money at the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission’s second and final public hearing last week. Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky President and CEO Ben Chandler, a...

Interact for Health awards second round of grants to area nonprofits to support youth mental health

Interact for Health awarded a second wave of community grants aimed at increasing youth mental health prevention services in school-based settings. This is the second announcement from the organization’s new five-year strategic plan, which has a strong focus on improving mental health and well-being in the region, particularly for youth. This additional $1M investment builds on the previous wave...

National Child Passenger Safety Week coming up: Please assure your car seat is properly installed

Each year, National Child Passenger Safety Week aims to increase awareness for parents and caregivers about the importance of correctly buckling kids in the right seats for their age and size. “As a dad, I know how hard parents work to help keep children safe, especially on our roadways,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “While this week reminds us to take the proper precautions to keep our kids safe...

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center gets designation from National Institutes of Health

Twenty million dollars allocated by the General Assembly in the 2023-2024 biennial budget was integral to the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center being designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the federal government’s principal cancer research and training agency. Markey is now one of only 56 cancer centers nationwide with this designation...

St. Elizabeth Healthcare is first in state to use CathWorks FFR technology for coronary diagnostics

St. Elizabeth Healthcare achieves a significant milestone in cardiovascular care with the use of technology known as CathWorks FFRangio (FFR). Officials with Medtronic, who currently promote the less invasive, diagnostic technology in the United States, have designated St. Elizabeth as the first healthcare system in Kentucky to implement this new approach. The CathWorks FFRangio (Photo from the websites) CathWorks...