Author: Al Cross
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Ky. has 78 confirmed flu cases and 2 deaths from it this season; there’s no cure, so officials advise shots for all over 6 months old
Kentucky is one of three states under an influenza threat defined as “regional,” with confirmed cases in 11 of the state’s 17 regions. During the 2018-19 flu season, Kentucky has...
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Weather preparedness tips for hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning and food safety
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As the full brunt of winter approaches, the state Department for Public Healthoffers tips on cold-weather preparedness to prevent hypothermia, carbon-monoxide poisoning and unsafe food...
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FDA cracks down on e-cigs, noting use by youth more than doubled in a year, and proposes to ban menthol in cigarettes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed Thursday to ban menthol-flavored cigarettes and cigars, and restrict the sales of some flavored electronic-cigarette liquids, some flavored cigars...
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State Supreme Court strikes down medical review panels for suits against health-care providers; backers eye constitutional change
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd (Courier Journal photo by David Lutman — Filtering medical-malpractice lawsuits through panels of health-care professionals is unconstitutional, a unanimous Supreme Court of Kentucky ruled Thursday....
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Study of Ky. kids’ well-being finds less smoking in pregnancy, fewer low-birthweight babies and pregnant teens; has local data
Kids Count Data Center map of births to mothers who smoked during pregnancy, 2014-16. — By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky continues to make progress in expanding the number...
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Institute taking applications through Dec. 18 for assistance to health-related research projects in Kentucky
The Community Leadership Institute of Kentucky, which provides research and leadership training, funding and technical support for health-related research projects, is accepting applications for its 2019 class. Among other things,...
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Cigarette smoking rates among U.S. adults are at a historic low, 14%, but one in five still use some type of tobacco-based product
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Cigarette smoking rates have hit their lowest level ever, but 47 million Americans still use some type of tobacco-based product, prompting government officials to...
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National Rural Health Day is Thursday, Nov. 15
Rural communities have unique health-care needs: accessibility, a lack of providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of people...
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Larger Kentucky hospitals’ average grade for patient safety declined, but their overall national ranking was about the same
Ky. Health News chart based on Leapfrog Group data and logo — By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A nonprofit group that rates hospitals has released its latest grades for...
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Study shows e-cigs don’t keep teens from smoking cigs; health foundation calls for smoke-free schools; FDA to act on e-cigs
Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow chart — By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Teens who use electronic cigarettes end up smoking traditional cigarettes at about the same rate as teens...