Governor moves Medical Cannabis Program ahead with expedited timeline for licenses by lottery
Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program has taken significant steps toward ensuring Kentuckians with qualifying conditions have access to medical cannabis as soon as possible.
“This administration has been working hard to expedite the timeline for making medical cannabis available,” said Gov. Beshear. “We worked with the General Assembly on a solution and by signing...
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, and how you can reduce your risk
Dr. Joseph Kim
University of Kentucky
While stomach cancer was in the headlines not long ago with the sudden death of musician Toby Keith, the diagnosis is relatively rare. Stomach cancer now accounts for 1.4% of new cancer cases in the U.S., down from nearly 10% 30 years ago.
With an average age at diagnosis of 68, stomach cancer is more common among older individuals. But it can happen to anyone,...
Kentuckians reminded to ‘Drive Distraction Free in Work Zones,’ work zone incidents spiked in 2023
As construction season’s orange cones and barrels spring up along Kentucky highways, state officials remind everyone to drive distraction free and slow down. Those safe driving practices will reduce the dangers highway crews face in work zones and could save lives.
In 2023, Kentucky recorded 1,251 crashes in highway work zones where 247 people were injured and 17 lost their lives – nearly triple...
‘Momnibus’ bill passed on last day (without offending amendments); ‘great policy for moms and babies’
By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern
The maternal health legislation known as “Momnibus” was approved by the Kentucky legislature after it piggybacked onto another bill on the final day of the 2024 legislative session.
Senate Bill 74 became the vehicle for the maternal health bill. It passed the Senate in February and the House on Monday.
NKY’s Rep. Kim Moser and Sen. Shelly Funke Frommeyer speak...
General Assembly passed dozens of health-related bills — here’s the summary so far; today is last day
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
In its 2024 session the Kentucky General Assembly has passed dozens of health-related bills that address a range of topics. With just today left in the session, here are some of them:
Vaping: House Bill 11 limits legal sale of vaping products to those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also creates a database of retailers that sell the...
Kentucky 4th in nation for teenagers having babies, though the rates overall are declining slowly
By John McGary
WEKU
Kentucky has the fourth-highest teenage birth rate in the U.S., according to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which show Kentucky’s teen birthrate to be 38 percent higher than the U.S. average.
At the same time, teen-birth rates are declining in Kentucky and the nation. The state’s rate was 22.8 per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19...
Several state water systems exceed new federal limits for ‘forever chemicals’, must test and correct
By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News
Several Kentucky water systems, mostly on and near the Ohio River, will have to fund ways to reduce certain cancer-causing substaces for which the first federal limits were issued Wednesday, April 10.
The substances are PFAS, a joint acronym for per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and last a long time in the environment without breaking...
Cancer Support Community raising awareness of cancer disparities during Minority Health Month
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but far too often access to effective care does.
During Minority Health Month in April, Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky (CSC) is doing its part to bring awareness to the disparities faced by minorities experiencing cancer as well as offer realistic solutions that create and cultivate community.
Minority communities continue to bear...
With more than 2000 kids awaiting organ transplants, time – and organ size – are critical
Dr. Meera Gupta
University of Kentucky
Nearly 100,000 Americans are waiting for a life-saving organ. More than 2,000 of those waiting are children.
Children aren’t just little adults; they have unique and complex medical needs. A number of congenital conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, cystic fibrosis, and kidney and liver conditions put many children on the waiting list before they even take their...
Governor signs into law a ‘landmark’ bill eliminating out-of-pocket costs for prostate, other screenings
Governor Andy Beshear has signed into law legislation that will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for high-risk men being screened for prostate cancer and other cancer screenings.
Out-of-pocket costs pose barriers to prostate cancer detection and treatment, disproportionately impacting lower-income individuals, people of color, and those with limited healthcare access. These financial burdens exacerbate...
St. E. Healthy Headlines: Debunking misconceptions about cholesterol — it’s important to know the facts
When it’s time for your annual primary care provider visit, one health value they’re likely checking are your cholesterol levels. So, you probably already know that keeping your cholesterol levels within range is essential for your overall health.
It’s important that you have the facts on cholesterol. Kevin Miller, MD, a cardiologist at the Florence Wormald Heart and Vascular Institute at St....
Legislature, Beshear pass law to protect independent pharmacies in Kentucky from commercial PBMs
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
A bill to address an unfair playing field between commercial pharmacy-benefit managers and independent pharmacists has been signed into law and will take effect Jan. 1.
As the final vote for Senate Bill 188 was made late on March 28, Rosemary Smith, co-founder of the Kentucky Independent Pharmacist Alliance, said she received at least 100 texts while watching...
Respiratory-virus activity ticks up a bit but hospital admissions fall; flu drives admissions, ER visits
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
The state Department for Public Health says respiratory virus activity ticked up a bit in Kentucky in the last week of March, but remained at a relatively low level, while hospitalizations for respiratory disease declined but remained at a level that the department considers moderate.
In the week ended March 30, emergency-room visits for influenza, COVID-19...
St. Elizabeth Healthy Headlines: High blood pressure is a ‘silent killer’ — there are ways to control it
When it comes to high blood pressure, ignorance isn’t bliss. In fact, not knowing could kill you.
That’s because high blood pressure (hypertension) has few noticeable symptoms. Left untreated, it can damage your kidneys, heart and other organs before you even realize you have it.
The good news is by understanding your risk of high blood pressure and taking steps to lower those risks, you can enjoy...
Governor recognizes National Public Health Week and DPH for helping create a stronger, healthier KY
Gov. Andy Beshear recognized this week, April 1-7, as National Public Health Week and thanked the Department for Public Health for helping create a stronger, healthier Kentucky.
“With the challenges Team Kentucky has faced over the years, our public health professionals have repeatedly made selfless decisions to show up and help others,” said Gov. Beshear.
“They deserve the title of health care...
