Drug-resistant infections are a grave threat but are loosely monitored; Ky. health facilities must now report them electronically

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Antibiotic-resistant infections are considered one of the gravest threats to humanity, but such infe...

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Study finds Kentucky hospitals had 77% less charity care in first two years of Obamacare; ER visits were about the same

An ongoing report of federal health reform's effect on Kentucky says hospitals have significantly less charity care and care to the unin...

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Congress includes Zika funding in stopgap spending bill

McConnell with other GOP Senate leaders, John Barrasso of Wyoming and John Cornyn of Texas ( Getty Images photo by Alex Wong) Congress has ...

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How much do motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of head injuries? A lot, UK study shows

Image from Fox News It goes without saying that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries while riding a motorcycle, but a study...

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UK College of Public Health study links diabetes to poor blood flow in the brain, but not to Alzheimer's disease

Diabetes has been linked to cerebrovascular disease, a cognitive disorder that restricts blood flow to the brain, according to a study at th...

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Leitchfield passes smoking ban to take effect Jan. 1

Grayson County   ( Wikipedia image) Leitchfield, the seat of Grayson County in west-central Kentucky, will become smoke-free on New Year...

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Just over half of Ky. students are in schools with 100% tobacco-free policies; Warren, Russell county districts share successes

The state  Department of Public Health has created videos to showcase the success of two Kentucky school districts in becoming 100 percent ...

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Health-insurance premiums for 2017 will be more expensive

By Trudy Lieberman , Rural Health News Service Recently I got a note from a reader of these columns who lives in Warren, Ohio. He had seen c...

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American Medical Association says Humana takeover by Aetna would reduce health-insurance competition in Kentucky

Humana Inc. 's proposed takeover by Aetna Inc. would hurt health-insurance competition in 57 metropolitan areas in 15 states, especiall...

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U.S. attorney general hears from Central Ky. families of overdose victims, who offer suggestions on what needs to be done

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch attended events in Lexington and Richmond this week as part of the first national Prescription Opioid an...

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Lung transplant recipient who battled bureaucracy to get coverage, dies five days after being widowed; funeral Sunday

"Katie Prager, the Kentucky lung transplant recipient whose story with her late husband, Dalton, touched millions, has died," repo...

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Annual health forum looked at connections between health and the economy

The relationship between health and the economy in creating healthy communities was the focus of the 14th annual Howard L. Bost Memorial Hea...

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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 fr...

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Genetic testing is an option if you have a family history of breast cancer; regardless, if over 40 get an annual mammogram

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, making it a good time to consider talking to your primary-care provider about genetic testing if y...

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Several Kentucky hospitals are now certified as 'Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner' ready facilities

Three Kentucky hospital systems have become the first in the state to obtain certification that demonstrates their ability to provide 24 hou...

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Health advocacy group that opposes new Medicaid proposal to hold eight community forums across the state to discuss it

This story was updated on 9/23/16. Kentucky Voices for Health will host eight community forums across the state to discuss Gov. Matt Bevin&...

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KentuckyOne Health lays off several top executives

KentuckyOne Health laid off several top executives Sept. 16, the latest sign of trouble at the hospital company created by mergers four yea...

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Super-powerful narcotics threaten even more fatal drug overdoses in region; six in Danville area spur community action

“If you’re putting a needle in your arm, you’re playing Russian roulette,” because so many super-powerful narcotics such as fentanyl are in ...

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Louisville man, 73, first this year to die from West Nile virus; officials remind Kentuckians to wear bug repellent when outside

State health officials have confirmed that a 73-year-old Louisville man died from the West Nile Virus during the week ended Sept. 17. Beth F...

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As coal declines in Central Appalachia, what is its legacy in health, including mental health?

As the coal industry declines, rapidly in Central Appalachia, there are "clues suggesting that health and mental-health issues will pos...

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Ky. confirms 10 flu cases; vaccination (not nasal spray) urged, but some experts tell seniors to wait a bit for best protection

image: www.lex18.com State health officials report that Kentucky has 10 confirmed cases of influenza already this year, suggesting flu seaso...

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Howard L. Bost Health Policy Forum to be held in Lexington Sept. 19; focus will be on 'Health as an Economic Driver'

It's not too late to sign up for the 14th annual Howard L. Bost Health Policy Forum, titled "Health as an Economic Driver," to...

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Kentucky Health News reporter gets fellowship to report on rural health workforce issues, with a focus on nurses

Melissa Patrick Melissa Patrick, reporter for Kentucky Health News, has been named 2016-2017 Nursing and Health Care Workforce Media Fellow ...

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Dr. Michael Karpf to retire as head of UK hospital

Dr. Michael Karpf Dr. Michael Karpf, who has led the University of Kentucky Medical Center during a decade of major growth, announced Wednes...

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KentuckyOne Health announces diabetes prevention program in Central Kentucky

KentuckyOne Health  is launching a program to prevent Type 2 diabetes in Central Kentucky. The year-long program is modeled after a Centers ...

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Kentucky's uninsured rate drops to 6 percent; states that expanded Medicaid, like Kentucky, saw the greatest drops

The share of Kentuckians without health insurance dropped by more than half from 2013 to 2015, bringing it down to only 6 percent of the sta...

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