Author: Melissa Patrick
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Baby Boomers’ number: 4.8% of older adults in U.S. used marijuana in 2013, up from 2.8% a decade ago
As the number of older adults using marijuana increases, researchers say more information is needed to determine the effects of the drug on seniors. “Given the unprecedented aging of the...
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Got a virus? You don’t need an antibiotic but you might get one; Kentucky leads the nation in outpatient antibiotic prescriptions
Antibiotics don’t cure illnesses caused by viruses, and can even cause “dire consequences” when used inappropriately, so it’s important to take them only when necessary, says a news release from the state Cabinet...
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Obese children 9 to 11 should be tested for fatty liver disease; almost 20 percent of Kentucky’s children are obese
Obese children from 9 to 11 should be screened for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to new guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Fatty liver disease is not...
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Huge new health law has provisions for research, opioids, mental health, faster approval of drugs and medical devices, and more
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Congress passed legislation Wednesday, Dec. 7 that will, among other things, increase funding for medical research and speed up the federal approval of new...
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UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging gets grant of nearly $1 million to test new Alzheimer’s ‘drug candidate’ on humans
The University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging has been awarded a grant to develop new prevention treatments for Alzheimers. The Alzheimer’s Association awarded a “Part of the Cloud Translational...
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Study finds a genetic marker determines a love for salty foods; says they should be considered a treat, like dessert
Heart-disease death rate for Kentuckians over 35 in 2012-14 (CDC map) A person’s desire for salty foods may be determined by their genes, and that could spell trouble for their...
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Study finds there is no safe amount of smoking; one cigarette per day increases risk of earlier death 64 percent
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Smoking a few cigarettes a day or even a week increases the risk of an earlier death compared to people who don’t smoke, according...
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Foundation for a Healthy Ky. to have new direction and focus, new CEO Ben Chandler says in announcing new board members
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky will take a new direction under Ben Chandler, its new president and CEO, Chandler said in announcing new leaders and members for the foundation’s...
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Annual study of Ky. kids’ well-being looks at role of race, income and location; includes lots of county-level data, graphics maker
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The annual Kentucky Kids Count report has measured the overall well-being of Kentucky’s children for 26 years, but this year’s report digs deeper and...
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New guidelines say sleep aids should only be used short-term; physicians recommends “cognitive behavioral therapy”
Photo illustration: medicalnewstoday.com Sleep aids are readily available to the one-third of adults who suffer from insomnia, but health-care providers are beginning to steer patients away from them because of...