Ky. flu cases increase slightly in last few weeks; not too late to get a flu shot, season runs through May
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Following nine weeks of decline, influenza cases in Kentucky ticked back up. The state…
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Senate passes version of state budget with many health items, includes $100m for nursing shortage
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The state Senate passed its version of a two-year state budget by a 30-6…
School counselors say they’re seeing more mental health issues with students, see need for services
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News At a time when President Biden and the federal government have sounded alarms about…
Proposed CDC guidelines for treating pain encourage non-opioid therapies, avoid one-size-fits-all approach
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proposed new guidelines that would move…
Another study shows wearing masks lowers risk of contracting Covid-19, and type of mask matters
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Two years into the pandemic, many people still refuse to wear a face mask…
Flu season is in full swing, with cases increasing; cases confirmed in 15 of Ky’s 16 health regions
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Influenza cases in Kentucky continue on the rise, and health officials say it’s not…
Kentucky ranks first in lung cancer cases, but screening, treatment, prevention are easier now
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Lung Cancer Awareness Month falls in November, but in Kentucky, the promotion of prevention…
Health commissioner says more virus surges likely, encouraging vaccines important despite resistance
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky will continue to see coronavirus surges from time to time, and because Covid-19…
Kentucky ranks 37th for overall well-being of its children in latest Kids Count County Data Book
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The annual Kids Count County Data Book on children’s well-being ranks Kentucky 37th in…
Study finds electronic smoking devices don’t help smokers stay off combustable cigarettes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Switching to electronic cigarettes doesn’t help smokers stay off traditional cigarettes, according to a…
Legislators wrestle with how to keep students safe in school, age to require masks in day-care centers
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As Kentucky lawmakers gear up for a special session to take over management of…
New tools help communities target education, outreach efforts where vaccine hesitancy is highest
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News It’s easy to find your locality’s coronavirus vaccination rate, but what about its vaccine…
Kids Count Data Book again ranks KY 37th in well-being of children, but isn’t improving like other states
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The annual Kids Count Data Book on children’s well-being, released yesterday by the Annie…
There are many reasons for vaccine hesitancy; medical, public health experts address concerns
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News In a society that gives out trophies for participation, it’s only natural that the…
Ky. had third-highest percentage rise in overdose deaths in 2020; spike followed start of pandemic
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Drug overdose deaths in Kentucky rose 50 percent in 2020, the third-highest rate of…
A quarter of Ky’s community health center visits are via telehealth; bill would codify temporary rules
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A bill to codify telehealth provisions that were put into place during the pandemic…
State shows little progress in latest health rankings; we get less exercise, diabetes has increased
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky again ranks near the bottom in two big health measures: 48th for health…
UK professor says Kentucky efforts at farmer suicide prevention, awareness a national model
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky farmers, like those across the nation, work tirelessly to stay afloat amid plummeting…
Kentucky lobbyist says feds send nursing homes quick-test kits, but with rules that deter their use
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Testing is one of the few tools nursing homes have to keep the novel…
Nursing homes ‘need help’ from state; residents account for 58.6 percent of Kentucky’s COVID deaths
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As they remain the main sites for deadly infections of the novel coronavirus, Kentucky’s…
Pandemic has thwarted vaccinations; many vaccine-preventable illnesses are more deadly to kids
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Some Kentucky children have likely fallen behind in their routine immunizations because of the…
Plans in works to open schools in fall, despite some concerns that guidelines make it impossible
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Some Kentucky school superintendents say they wouldn’t be able to reopen schools under suggested…