Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News

Kentucky Takes Steps to Combat Childhood Obesity

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 18:46:18 +0000

Now that all schools are back in session, cafeterias in every corner of Kentucky are bustling with students sweeping through lunch lines, sitting down with their best friends and sampling their meal. It's in these loud, boisterous rooms that the fight against childhood obesity, which is higher in Kentucky than in all but a few states, is beginning to take shape.

Child Obesity in KY a Deep Rooted Problem

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:56:02 +0000

At every Girl Scouts meeting, Christmas concert, soccer field and swimming pool in Kentucky lies a trend that is easy to spot. It doesn't have to do with the Toms on the children's feet or the feathers affixed to their hair. It's the fact that every third child in Kentucky is overweight, and many of them are obese. As they stand in front of the crowd or struggle to swim to the other side, the problem is plain. Its consequences are not so plan, but are far-reaching.

Pediatrician's Advice on Back-to-School Bugs

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:55:27 +0000

With school back in session, it probably won't be long before children are coming home with sniffles and sore throats. The average child gets six or more infections each year, reports Dr. Jacqueline Kaari, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, who also offers advice.

UK Medical Center Receives Triple-Designation Honor

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:59:53 +0000

Because they use extracorporeal (out-of-body) membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, to support patients, the University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital and Kentucky Children's Hospital have been awarded a triple designation from the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. UK is just the fifth medical center to receive the triple-designation honor, reports UK's Allison Perry. (UK photo)

Fruit Costumes Promote Healthy Eating for Kids

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:55:11 +0000

Wanna get kids to eat more fruit and vegetables at lunch time? Dress up in a banana suit. That's what cafeteria workers do at an elementary school in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (MCT photo by Mike Stocker) "They love it," said intern Ericka Floyd while wearing the yellow costume. "Some kids want to bite me."

Website Explores Affordable Care Act

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:27:45 +0000

One of the most complex and far-reaching pieces of legislation to pass in recent years is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal health-care reform law that, among other provisions, requires Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. But because of its complexity, journalists can shy away from delving into stories about it.

Laurel Co. Man Discusses Bout with West Nile Virus

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:25:14 +0000

A Laurel County man has shared his story after contracting the West Nile Virus, which, though rare in Kentucky, has been more common nationwide this year than it has been since it was first discovered in 1999. Kelly Curens spent three weeks at the University of Kentucky medical center, much of which was spent in an induced coma. He started feeling sick after a camping trip at Lake Cumberland, reports Phil Penderton for WKYT-TV.

Indiana Farm Responsible for Salmonella Outbreak

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:51:56 +0000

Health officials have zeroed in on a farm in southwestern Indiana responsible for at least some of the cantaloupe that were contaminated with salmonella, an outbreak that has sickened at least 50 Kentuckians and 178 people nationwide. It has also been associated with the death of two Kentuckians.

Health Campaign Urges Cavity Prevention

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 19:57:28 +0000

Kids should brush their teeth twice a day for two whole minutes at a time, a new public-service campaign urges. The “Kids’ Healthy Mouths” campaign includes TV spots, print ads, a website, social media messages and other materials, reports Jennifer LaRue Huget for The Washington Post.

Hundreds Attend Tea Party Rally

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:26:51 +0000

Hundreds of tea-party activists showed up at a midday rally at the state Capitol to protest the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Kentucky's involvement in its implementation. Both are issues in the Nov. 6 elections.

First Cases of the Flu Reported

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:52:27 +0000

Kentucky has its first confirmed cases of flu for the year, and officials are urging residents to get their vaccinations. (WYMT-TV photo) The Department for Public Health reports six confirmed cases in Boyd County of the H3N2 strain, which is included in this year's flu vaccine. No cases of flu that contain genetic material from swine flu have been reported in Kentucky this year.

Soda Loses Fizz in Public Schools

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:49:46 +0000

New research from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows more than half of middle and high schools have purged the pop since the 2006-2007 school year. That year, 53.6 percent of high schools and 27.4 percent of middle schools gave students access to soda. In the 2010-2011 those numbers dropped to 25.3 in high schools and 12.5 percent in middle schools, reports Sarah Kliff for The Washington Post.

Kentucky's Obesity Ranking Lower Than Last Year

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 13:14:23 +0000

The percentage of Kentucky adults who are obese is smaller than its was, but the state is still 10th in the country, according to a new, influential analysis by Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The report found 30.4 percent of Kentucky adults are obese, an improvement from last year's 31.5 percent and the state's sixth-place ranking. The numbers do not include the percentage of adults that are merely overweight.

State Fair Taking Precautions to Prevent Swine Flu

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:14:00 +0000

With cases of swine flu popping up in adjoining states to the north, officials are taking precautions to prevent the disease from spreading at the Kentucky State Fair's Swine Pavilion. The fair starts Thursday. The state veterinarian staff will be inspecting all swine — between 650 and 675 pigs — and looking for signs of flu, which includes coughing, sneezing and labored breathing. Animals showing symptoms will be evaluated and tested for the disease. Exhibitors coming from out of state must show a certificate of veterinary inspection with 72 hours of arrival, The Courier-Journal reports. Fairgoers are encouraged to wash their hands frequently.

Price of Pizza to Rise Says Papa John's CEO

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 15:55:09 +0000

Papa John's CEO John Schnatter did more than put the Affordable Care Act under the microscope this week, he threw it in a hot oven, saying the law will increase the price of a pizza by 11 to 14 cents. But an editorial in The Courier-Journal argues all Schatter did was prove the law's value.

Kentucky Rated Worst in Country for Power-Plant Pollution

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 15:46:09 +0000

Kentucky was ranked first in the country for power plant pollution, with the state's emissions growing by 27 percent — or 10 million pounds — in 2009 and 2010, a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found. While Kentucky's emissions have gone up, the rest of the country saw a 19 percent decrease, NRDC said.

Schools Work to Implement Lunch Regulations

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:34:29 +0000

With students and teachers returning, school food-service directors are working to implement the new federal school lunch regulations that take effect this year. This would be a good story for local news media, since it affects almost every student. As school resumes, another school food program is up for debate. Congress is deciding whether frozen, canned and dried produce should be included in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Hospital Related Infections Associated with Overworked Nurses

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 14:30:23 +0000

Overworked nurses dealing with heavy patient loads are associated with increases in hospital-acquired infections, say researchers with the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Health Reform Makes Insurance Possible for Some

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 14:21:58 +0000

The Kentucky Standard's Randy Patrick deftly shows how the federal health-care reform law is having an effect at the individual level by telling the story of Bonnie Varnell, a Nelson County resident who is uninsured and is more than $65,000 in debt due to her fight against cancer.

Report Shows Detailed Impact of Health Care

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 17:05:00 +0000

It's not often that such detailed data is broken down to the county level, but a new report looks at the economic impact of the local health-care system in each of Kentucky's 120 counties. The reports, compiled at the University of Kentucky, look at the number of health-care jobs, as well as the revenue and income generated by the local health-care system. In many rural counties, the authors note, health care is the second largest industry, second only to local government.

Bath Salts Change Too Fast to Combat

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:01:53 +0000

Though legislators across the country, including Kentucky, have passed laws to ban synthetic drugs like bath salts, there are so many new formulations of the substances the states can't keep up. Experts estimate there are more than 100 types of bath-salt chemicals. "The moment you start to regulate one of them, they'll come out with a variant that sometimes is even more potent," said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Four Pain Clinics Closed as 'Pill Mill' Bill Takes Effect

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:36:48 +0000

Just days after new legislation has taken effect to combat prescription drug abuse, four pain clinics in Kentucky say they will close, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today. "The word is out. Kentucky is deadly serious about stopping this scourge of prescription drug abuse and now we have some of the strongest tools in the country to make that happen," the governor said, adding that nine other pain-management clinics have not applied for licenses and will be investigated.

Forums Set to Explain Kentucky Insurance Exchange

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:35:31 +0000

Now that Gov. Steve Beshear has issued the order to create a state health insurance exchange, the state is scheduling public forums to explain it. Rachel Klein, the executive director of Enroll America, said 78 percent of uninsured Americans "have no idea that there is new health coverage coming."

Safety-Net Hospitals Could Get Hit Hard in October

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:25:19 +0000

When hospitals start getting paid based on the perceived quality of care they provide to their Medicare and Medicaid patients, so-called "safety net" hospitals, a last resort for the poor, could be the losers in the equation. That's because a main way of measuring quality will be patient experience ratings, and safety-net hospitals tend to get poorer marks from patients, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Series Finds Sedentary Living as Dangerous as Smoking

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:12:21 +0000

Physical inactivity is such a problem worldwide it has become as deadly as smoking, a series of studies has found. Lack of exercise causes about one in 10 premature deaths worldwide, in large part because it contributes to heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer.

Findings From Well-Being Report Indicate Progress

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:09:53 +0000

Nationwide, the rates of infants who die, babies who are born prematurely, teens who are having babies, and the percentage of young children who live in a home where someone smokes have all decreased in the last five years. But the percentage of kids who live in poverty has gone up.

Beshear Establishes Insurance Exchange

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:59:08 +0000

As Gov. Steve Beshear issued an executive order to establish a state insurance exchange this afternoon, lawmakers voted along party lines against a lease that would have housed employees of the exchange, once again illustrating the divisive nature of the controversial Affordable Care Act. Members of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee voted 4-3 against the nearly $300,00-per-year lease, with Sen. Tom Buford of Nicholasville, Sen. Jared Carpenter of Berea, Rep. Steven Rudy of Paducah— all Republicans — voting no, along with Independent Sen. Bob Leeper of Paducah.

Book on Appalachian Health Praised by Physician

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:57:13 +0000

A new book discusses the health disparities that affect rural and urban Appalachians and has won the praise of a Kentucky physician, who calls its impact "profound." Appalachian Health and Well-Being was reviewed by Dr. Kevin Kavanagh, a retired physician from Somerset, for The Courier-Journal. Each chapter stands alone so readers can choose topics according to their interests. One chapter focuses on obesity and discusses issues like "food deserts" and lifestyle choices.

Repeal of Health Law Could Have Impact on Kentucky

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:48:36 +0000

The U.S. House voted again yesterday to repeal the health-care reform law, a move that has no chance of passing in the current Senate and would be vetoed by President Obama if it did. In an op-ed piece in The Courier-Journal, which put the news of the House vote on an inside page, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, left, said a repeal of the law would have big ramifications for Kentucky because:

UK Professor's Work Cited in Health Care Decision

Tara Kaprowy, Kentucky Health News — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:40:31 +0000

The work of a University of Kentucky law professor helped shape the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the constitutionality of the federal health-care reform law. Two of the major issues in question was whether the government could be force people to buy health insurance — often referred to as the individual mandate — and if the federal government could use its fiscal powers top make states expand Medicaid eligibility to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. The mandate was upheld, as was the Medicaid expansion, though the ruling will allow states to choose whether or not they want to expand their programs.