A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Far from over, but Senate budget restores cuts made to Medicaid by House; now goes back to House

By Deborah Yetter Kentucky Lantern The state Senate has largely eliminated cuts to Medicaid that were proposed in the House budget. A top state official had warned the House plan would create a hole next year in the federal-state health plan that covers 1.5 million low-income Kentuckians, a third of the state’s population. “We are pleased that the Senate’s proposed budget restores funding...

Tri-State Running group training for Flying Pig half-marathon — and in it for fun, fitness, and exercise

By Andy Furman NKyTribune reporter Ron Charles says he does it for the exercise. Chad Davison started doing it to lose weight, and just feel better. But they’re both dedicated to it – along with about a group of 30-or-more that meet every Thursday evening and Saturday morning. It’s running. And the group, headed by Davidson, is training for the half-marathon – part of the Flying Pig Marathon...

More Americans opt out of COVID-19 vaccinations; survey show choice can be based on political views

Kentucky Health News More Americans are opting out of COVID-19 vaccinations; survey shows the choice can be based on political views It has been four years since the U.S. rolled out lockdowns and mask mandates to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many Americans, both Republican and Democrat, received the country’s first COVID-19 vaccine in fairly equal numbers. However, after that initial jump-off...

‘FindHelpNowKY’ website helps Kyians find life-saving drug used to reverse opioid overdose

Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state’s FindHelpNowKy.org website also helps Kentuckians find places to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse opioid overdose. The website, which has been used over 240,000 times to help Kentuckians find addiction treatment facilities since its inception in 2018, now also includes a recovery housing locator, mental health treatment facilities...

UK HealthCare: Tips on taking the madness out of March Madness — and reducing your stress

By Hayden Gooding UK HealthCare March is here and the madness has started. This month isn’t just stressful for players and coaches. As fans, our excitement and dedication make us feel like we’re on the court. March Madness is supposed to be fun, why am I stressed out? As much as we look forward to this time of the year, sports have a way of bringing out our competitive side. The pressure for our...

Interview with Dr. Steven Stack: Talking measles risk, diet, staying healthy, exercise, getting plenty of sleep

By Al Cross Kentucky Health News In a wide-ranging TV interview, state Health Commissioner Steven Stack warned Kentuckians that not enough of them are vaccinated for measles, which he said is an outgrowth of reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken against it. Stack reflected on his work in the pandemic and talked about other health concerns, including the opioid epidemic, weight-loss...

IVF controversy echoes memorable debate in Kentucky House 40 years ago; issue back on agenda

By Jack Brammer Kentucky Lantern Veteran Kentucky lawmakers call it one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the state’s General Assembly. Memory of it has revived this spring as the nation — and Kentucky lawmakers — weigh a controversy over in vitro fertilization, a way to help infertile couples have a baby. “What happened back in the state House in 1984 in that debate on in vitro...

Foundation for a Healthy KY seeks nominations for Healthy Kentucky Champions awards; deadline May 1

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky wants to recognize people leading the charge to improve the health of the Kentuckians. Nominations for the Healthy Kentucky Champions Award Program are currently being accepted. Who is making a difference in their community and/or the state. Nominations are due May 1. WHO TO NOMINATE: • A Kentuckian who has invested time, energy and dedication to improving...

Navigating Aging: Does our society simply not care about our vulnerable older population?

By Judith Graham KFF Health News The covid-19 pandemic would be a wake-up call for America, advocates for the elderly predicted: incontrovertible proof that the nation wasn’t doing enough to care for vulnerable older adults. The death toll was shocking, as were reports of chaos in nursing homes and seniors suffering from isolation, depression, untreated illness, and neglect. Around 900,000 older...

Almost time to ‘spring forward’ into Daylight Saving Time, though sleep experts say it’s not a good idea

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News It’s almost time to “spring forward” one hour into Daylight Saving Time, which sleep experts don’t support because they say it doesn’t align with humans’ internal circadian rhythms. Daylight saving time begins Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. local time. CDC illustration The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says “The United...

Stateline: Fluoride in public water has slashed tooth decay, but some states, like KY, may end mandates

By Robbie Sequeira Stateline Kentucky state Rep. Mark Hart has been drinking fluoridated water his entire life. In 1954, five years before Hart was born, his home state mandated adding or adjusting levels of the mineral, which occurs naturally in water, in drinking water systems of populations larger than 3,000. But after hearing from a constituent a few years ago, Hart believes the matter of what’s...

Low vision can affect people of all ages, but risk increases as we age; here’s what you should know

By Christian Meyer University of Kentucky Low vision is a term that commonly means partial sight, or sight that isn’t fully correctable with glasses, contact lenses, surgery or medications. Low vision can affect people of all ages, but risk increases as you get older. Common signs/symptoms of low vision include: (NKyTribune file) • Not recognizing faces of family or friends • Difficulty...

Ceremony at KY’s COVID Memorial (United We Stand. Divided We Fall) to mark 4th anniversary of first case

Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack will join state and local officials, along with several Kentucky families today to mark the fourth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the state and to dedicate “A Day of Compassion” in the Commonwealth. “Our fight against this once-a-century global pandemic was marked by loss – so many of our family members and friends taken...

Flu shots limit infection rates, which are still elevated in Kentucky; reduce your risk

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The Kentucky Department for Public Health still considers hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses high and says flu activity remains elevated. Health officials say the best way to protect yourself from these viruses is to stay up to date with your vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get the...

KY 49th in oral health; fluoride in water proven to help teeth, but group of legislators tout law to ban it

By Deborah Yetter Kentucky Lantern As a dental hygienist working with low-income schoolchildren in Louisville, Jennifer Hasch said the untreated tooth disease she saw was shocking. Some teens had decay so severe they had to have all their teeth pulled and be fitted with dentures. Middle-school kids reported being unable to sleep because of pain from infected and abscessed teeth. First- and second-graders...