Author: danielle_ray
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Health officials say flu is widespread, urge a vaccination
Photo illustration: affiniahealthcare.org The state Department for Public Health has raised the state’s influenza level from “regional” to “widespread,” the highest level of flu activity. The widespread level indicates increased outbreaks...
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Tackling obesity in Kentucky can be a touchy subject
KentuckyHealthFacts.org map; click on it for larger version SLADE, Ky. — Among the topics covered in “Covering Health: A News Workshop” Nov. 11 at Natural Bridge State Resort Park was one...
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Pikeville Medical Center hires 3,000th employee
Pikeville Medical Center (Photo: sourcelync.net) Pikeville Medical Center said it reached a milestone Monday when it welcomed its 3,000th employee: information systems project manager Judy Lawson. The center is the region’s...
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Paducah Sun editor calls for higher cigarette tax in Kentucky
The executive editor of a West Kentucky newspaper known for its conservative editorials is taking a stand against cigarette taxes, but not in the way you might expect. In a...
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Nov. 11 Health Coverage Workshop offers something for all journalists, even their bosses
Kentucky faces many unique health challenges, but they don’t get enough news coverage, which hamstrings the state and its communities from fully addressing their health problems. These challenges and how...
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2.4% of Kentucky Medicaid’s emergency-room costs in 2015, or $9.3 million, were for non-emergency cases
Taxpayers paid nearly $385 million in 2015 for emergency-room visits for Medicaid patients, $9.3 million for cases that were judged not to be emergencies, according to state data gathered by...
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Survey of low-income Kentuckians, Arkansans suggests expansion of eligibility for Medicaid is making them healthier
A survey of people in Kentucky and other states suggests that the 2014 expansion of the Medicaid program under federal health reform is making them healthier. The telephone survey of...
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Madisonville girl provides example of emerging teletherapy that can help overcome shortage of psychiatrists in rural areas
When Ron Gadley searched for a therapist who could help his daughter, Rebecca, with depression near their Madisonville home, he found that their options were shockingly limited. The few child...
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Feds issue ratings on 3,662 hospitals, 82 in Ky.; none get top rank, 16 get second rank; industry says ratings oversimplify
By Danielle Ray Kentucky Health News The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Wednesday released its Overall Hospital Star Ratings, just two days after two U.S. House members introduced a...
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Region served by Lexington hospitals ranks low in health but beats expectations in lowering rates of uninsured
By Danielle Ray Kentucky Health News The region served by Lexington hospitals, most of the eastern half of Kentucky, has the worst health ranking of any such area in the...