Category: YOUR HEALTH
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Kentucky has a high premature birth rate, but two programs are reducing it; one stresses home visitations; the other uses data analysis
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News One in nine Kentucky babies are born prematurely, one of the nation’s highest rates – so high that the March of Dimes gave the state a...
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Federal officials re-approve state’s plan for changes in Medicaid; gradual rollout could start April 1, but more litigation looks likely
Gov. Matt Bevin welcomed President Trump to Lexington on Oct. 13. (Photo by James Crisp for the Courier Journal) — By Al Cross Kentucky Health News Federal health officials have again...
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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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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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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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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...
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Food-service employee at UK hospital diagnosed with hepatitis A; if you ate at Pavilion A cafeteria Oct.11-30, get vaccinated
A food service employee at the Albert B. Chandler Hospital at the University of Kentucky has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver disease, the hospital announced. The employee prepared food at...
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FDA says it may limit sale of flavored e-cigarette products to vaping stores to combat ‘epidemic’ use of products by teens
Types of electronic cigarettes — As teen use of Juul products continues to soar, the head of the Food and Drug Administration says all options are on the table, including limiting sales of flavored...