Author: Melissa Patrick
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Congress is taking on opoid abuse and the nationwide increase in drug overdoses
Federal officials have become increasingly concerned about the rapid increase in drug overdoses across the country. The House Energy and Commerce Committee, in a series of hearings on the topic,...
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Deep in the brain may lie the secret of why some smokers quit easily and some find it nearly impossible
When a person tries to quit smoking, the cravings, headaches and lethargy that come from the nicotine withdrawal makes it near impossible for many to be successful. But this lack...
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One of every three U.S. adults have a combination of risk factors that increase their risk for heart disease and diabetes
More than one-third of adults in the U.S. have a combination of health conditions that put them at higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, and this condition affects nearly...
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Regan Hunt, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, leaves for a new position at insurer Humana Inc.
The executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, a group that worked for the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is now working for Humana Inc. as...
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CDC says SOAR should focus on substance abuse, obesity and diabetes; idea of mountaintop mining study is largely ignored
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Shaping Our Appalachian Region, the bipartisan effort to revitalize and diversify Eastern Kentucky’s economy, will focus its health efforts on substance abuse, obesity and...
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Law requires equal access to mental-health and drug-abuse treatment, but is not always obeyed; Ky. says it’s working on issue
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News By law, mental health benefits must be offered equally to medical and surgical benefits if the plan offers them, but this isn’t always the...
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Louisville elementaries part of ‘up to date’ health curriculum study
Jefferson County Public Schools have partnered with researchers at the University of Virginia to study how integrating bi-weekly health and wellness instruction into its elementary curriculum will affect students over...
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‘Mind Matters’ Health Fair in Lexington May 18 will focus on brain and nutrition; famous chef will make free “brain healthy” food
Ouita Michel Nationally known Bluegrass chef Ouita Michel of Midway, who owns seven Lexington-area eateries, will be cooking up free “brain healthy” food at the seventh annual “Mind Matters” Health...
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Kentucky hospitals say they’re losing money on Obamacare, as cost of treating new Medicaid patients exceeds reimbursements
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky hospitals are struggling financially because of the billions of dollars in cuts caused by the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care...
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Kentucky had biggest increases in binge drinking, heavy drinking and any drinking from 2005 to 2012, first county-level study shows
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky has a relatively small percentage of drinkers compared to the rest of the nation, but it appears it is leading the nation in...