Testing, contact tracing planned to thwart spread of virus as economy reopens in Kentucky
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As Kentucky begins to reopen its economy, increased testing and contact tracing are the…
Melissa Patrick
Read More
County Health Rankings show largest shifts in middle rankings; Boone, Campbell rate among best in state
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The latest County Health Rankings report for Kentucky shows little change in the top…
Lawmakers passed several health-related bills in last days of session; all await Beshear’s signature or veto
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Amid the COVID-19 pandemic. the Republican-led General Assembly returned to Frankfort for two days…
Clinicians suspected Kentucky’s first case of coronavirus, but patient didn’t qualify for testing
By Melissa Patrick and Al Cross Kentucky Health News Kentucky found its first case of the new coronavirus, in Harrison…
Senate President Stivers, long the key obstacle for medical marijuana in KY, now sees ‘a narrow path’
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The most important legislative opponent of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky said Friday that…
Officials warn outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria likely coming from petting pet store puppies
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Getting a puppy for Christmas? Keep clean and take it to a vet. At…
Youths using e-cigs more likely to try marijuana; connection increased with refillable e-cig pods
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The first death attributed to vaping occurred on Friday in Illinois. A man between 17-38 years old had…
FDA probes 127 reports of seizures or other symptoms possibly related to e-cigarettes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating 127 reports of seizures, tremors, fainting or…
KY has 59 operating syringe exchanges and six in the wait; public-health advocates credited for increase
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky is lauded nationwide for its embrace of syringe exchanges to thwart the spread…
Study: Private insurance pays hospitals 241% more than Medicare; suggests shift to a Medicare model
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As health-care costs continue to rise for both employers and employees, one group of…
Governor signs into law ban on use of tobacco in all Kentucky public schools and events, effective July 1
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Gov. Matt Bevin has signed into law to ban the use of tobacco products…
New House health committee chair, NKY’s Kim Moser: ‘Health care too important to leave to chance’
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The new chair of the state House Health and Family Services Committee has been…
UC study shows secondhand smoke is bad for teenagers; more likely to miss school due to illness
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News It has long been established that exposure to secondhand smoke is harmful to babies…
Poor adults on Medicaid more likely to quit smoking but only 15% of KY smokers use cessation benefit
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Low-income adults who gained health insurance under the expansion of Medicaid like Kentucky and…
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…
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…
Teen birth rates are declining faster in urban counties than rural ones, nationally and in Kentucky
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky’s teen birth rates are dropping faster in its urban counties than in its…
Report says hospital charity care and care to uninsured are down 77 percent since reform
An ongoing report of federal health reform’s effect on Kentucky says hospitals have significantly less charity care and care to…
Work-oriented requirements in Medicaid plan could hit a snag; feds haven’t approved similar proposals
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan for Medicaid might not be approved by the Centers for…
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…
State, national health officials say potential exists for Kentucky to have Zika virus outbreak
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News While all 388 Zika virus cases confirmed in the continental U.S., including six in…
Hypodermic needle disposal education measure picks up amendment, surprising sponsor Denham
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A House bill to educate the public about how to safely dispose of hypodermic…