U of L plans to create statewide health institute with $4 million, three-year grant from KentuckyOne Health hospital firm

The University of Louisville is creating an institute to improve Kentucky’s health through research, education and advocacy of health policies.

KentuckyOne Health is giving the university $4 million over three years to establish the Commonwealth Institute of Kentucky in U of L’s School of Public Health and
Information Sciences. Dean Craig Blakely said the institute will work in western Louisville but also on statewide issues, focusing on data gathering and analysis.

“Kentucky has the nation’s highest rates of cancer deaths and smoking,
and ranks among the top for cardiovascular disease, obesity,
prescription drug abuse and other health problems,” Laura Ungar notes for The Courier-Journal. “And certain
neighborhoods, regions and populations suffer disproportionately, with
even higher rates.”