Syringe exchanges coupled with drug therapy, treatment could virtually eliminate hepatitis C
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky leads the nation in new infections of hepatitis C, a liver disease now…
Kentucky Health News
Read More
FDA delays rules restricting electronic cigarettes, could endorse them as an aid to stop smoking
“Electronic-cigarette makers won a major reprieve on Friday when the Food and Drug Administration delayed regulations that could have removed…
Opponents dominate public hearing on state’s revised proposal for changes in Medicaid program
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Only three of the 17 Kentuckians who spoke at the final public hearing in…
Study says only way to protect children from nicotine exposure is to not smoke in house — or quit
Children carry significant levels of nicotine on their hands even if their parents don’t smoke around them, according to a…
With encouragement from the feds, Kentucky schools focused more on healthy foods, less junk
Sugary drinks, fatty snacks and chocolate candy are becoming harder to buy in Kentucky schools, which are paying more attention…
Seat-belt use in Kentucky about the same as national average; Kenton and Boone above average
Only two Kentucky counties, Boone and Kenton, used seat belts at the national average or above in 2012, according to…
Kentucky, surrounding states have fewer companies on government health insurance exchanges
The number of health insurance companies offering subsidized coverage didn’t shrink just in Kentucky, but in most of adjoining states,…
Study analysis of hospital safety estimates more than 200,000 preventable facility-related deaths each year
An analysis of two well-controlled studies estimates that the number of preventable hospital-associated deaths are over 200,000 each year, argues…
Kentucky’s Yarmuth named top democrat on House Budget Committee, will influence Obamacare debate
Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville has been named ranking minority member on the House Budget Committee, a panel that will…
Less than one-third of Kentucky schools have comprehensive tobacco-free policies, study shows
Though an overwhelming majority of Kentucky adults say they want schools to be tobacco-free, fewer than half of the state’s…
Survey of low-income Kyians, Arkansans, Texans suggests Medicaid expansion making them healthier
A survey of people in Kentucky and other states suggests that the 2014 expansion of the Medicaid program under federal…
Kentucky leads the nation in cancers caused by a virus that HPV vaccinations can prevent
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky has the highest overall rate of cancers associated with the human papillomavirus, and…
Just lowering smoking rate to national average could save Kentucky $1.7 billion in health care costs
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News If Kentucky could cut its smoking rate to the national average, it would save…
Political climate in Frankfort means smoke-free advocates should focus on local bans
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News More Kentucky localities are likely to see efforts for smoking bans, as a statewide…
One-stop shop, Benefind, isn’t; causes confusion, loss of benefits for thousands of Kentuckians
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News On Feb. 29, Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration launched a new one-stop-shopping website for state…
Kentucky leads the nation in colon cancer rates, but it’s 90 percent preventable through screening
All too often Kentuckians don’t get screened for colon cancer because of fear, embarrassment, lack of access and cost concerns,…
Poll: Kentuckians want next governor, legislature to work on reducing health costs, improving health
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Reducing the costs of health care and improving the state’s health are two of…