Author: Heather Close
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Some decongestants spike blood pressure; alternatives available
By Dr. Vincent Sorrell University of Kentucky It’s the season for respiratory viruses and the cough, congestion and sore throats they bring. There are many options for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies...
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American Cancer Society wants state to spend $10 million a year on smoking cessation and prevention; current budget is $2 million
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network will ask legislators in the upcoming General Assembly session to spend a lot more on tobacco prevention...
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Flu, Covid-19 and RSV rates are so high that the CDC has issued a health advisory urging more Americans to get vaccinated
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As illness from the three respiratory viruses tracked by Kentucky health departments — influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — continue to pile...
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Bipartisan bill would allow guns to be taken from people judged to be at risk of hurting themselves or others; opposition voiced
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. By Sarah Ladd Kentucky Lantern A...
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Travel for abortions, mainly from states like Kentucky, has doubled following Supreme Court decision, and can pose many difficulties
OPINION By Katelyn Jetelina Your Local Epidemiologist This week, Kate Cox got an abortion but had to leave Texas, where she lives, to get it. She joined more than 9.3 million...
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If subpoenaed, pharmacy chains hand over customers’ private medical information; lawmakers say warrants should be required
“The nation’s largest pharmacy chains have handed over Americans’ prescription records to police and government investigators without a warrant, a congressional investigation found, raising concerns about threats to medical privacy,”...
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Norton Healthcare says it will alert 2.5 million patients whose personal information may have been compromised by cyberattack
About two and a half million people may have been affected by a ransomware attack on Norton Healthcare, the Louisville hospital company said Tuesday. It said they will get letters soon,...
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Abortion-rights lawsuit needs a new plaintiff, ACLU of Ky. says
UPDATE, Dec. 18: Lacking a plaintiff, the ACLU of Kentucky has dismisssed the suit. Abortion-rights advocates are seeking a new plaintiff for their Kentucky class-action lawsuit because the plaintiff, who...
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Health Commissioner Stack, master of ceremonies for Beshear’s private swearing-in, praises him as he recalls pandemic work
By Al Cross Kentucky Health News State Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack was master of ceremonies for Gov. Andy Beshear’s private swearing-in ceremony as Tuesday began, providing a platform for...
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UK team promotes proper use of antibiotics to help thwart development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics
By the Antimicrobial Stewardship Team UK HealthCare Pharmacy Services In the U.S., more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur each year. Antimicrobials — a group of essential medications including antibiotics,...