Almost 2,000 new coronavirus cases, another new record

Kentucky Health News chart, based on initial, unadjusted reports By Al Cross Kentucky Health News The escalation of novel-coronavirus cases in Kentucky accelerated again Saturday, with another record: 1,986 new infections. That brought the seven-day rolling average to 1,688, more than double what it was at the start...

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Kentucky sets more records for new coronavirus cases, covid-19 hospitalizations; Beshear urges care on Halloween and next week

Ky. Health News chart; case numbers are from initial, unadjusted daily reports; click image to enlarge  By Al Cross Kentucky Health News Kentucky set yet another record for cases of the novel coronavirus Friday, continuing a steady escalation, and set a record for covid-19 hospitalizations. The state reported...

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Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45, says federal panel, following American Cancer Society's advice of 2 years ago

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A federal task force now recommends that adults with a normal risk for colorectal cancer get their first screening at age 45, instead of 50, as the American Cancer Society has recommended since 2018.  Kentucky already requires health insurance plans to start screening for colorectal...

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Over 1/3 of Ky. nursing homes have reported nurse shortages during pandemic; 1/6 have been short during 4 weeks or more

More than a third of Kentucky's nursing homes have reported nursing-staff shortages at least once during the pandemic that has killed hundreds of their residents, one out of six have reported shortages for at least four weeks, and "Some reported nurse shortages for up to 18 weeks," reports John Cheves of the Lexington Herald-Leader. "In most instances, the same nursing homes that disclosed a shortage of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses...

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Intermittent fasting: Does a new study show downsides — or not?

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an approach to eating based on timing. The idea is that fasting for long enough allows insulin levels to fall low enough that our body will use fat for fuel. Growing evidence in animals and humans shows that this approach leads to significant weight loss. When combined with a nutritious, plant-based diet and regular physical activity, IF can be part of a healthy weight loss or maintenance plan, as I described in an earlier...

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Nov. 9 webinar will focus on youth nutrition and physical activity; part of health foundation's annual policy forum

The third of five free webinars about efforts to reduce disease and unhealthy behaviors that often begin in childhood will focus on policies and programs to improve nutrition and physical activity among Kentucky's children, with a focus on improving health equity and the impact of covid-19. The webinar, "Promoting Healthy...

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With 68 counties in red zone, another Top 3 day for new cases, and record hospitalizations, Beshear calls it a frightening time

State Department for Public Health list; red-zone counties have 25 or more new cases per 100,000 people. By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News With more than half of Kentucky's counties in the most dangerous zone for new coronavirus cases and the state having three of its top days for new cases this week, Gov. Andy...

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Keeping your family safe this Thanksgiving

So much is different and hard during this pandemic — including planning for the holidays. It’s understandable to want to gather with friends and family. We are all so worn out by the COVID-19 pandemic, and need some cheering up. And most of us have friends and family that we haven’t been able to really spend time with — or haven’t seen at all — for months. But gathering with friends and family can bring real risks during the pandemic, especially...

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White House report: 78% of Ky. counties had moderate or high level of virus spread; says spread is linked to home gatherings

White House Coronavirus Task Force chart; for a larger version, click on it. By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News For a month, Kentucky has been in the White House Coronavirus Task Force's worst danger zone for case numbers, and with several days of the highest one-day totals yet being reported this week, it doesn't...

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97% of school districts have tobacco-free policies, including e-cigs

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Only five of Kentucky's 172 school districts have not passed a tobacco-free policy to line up with a state law that went into effect July 2020, according to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.  The law, for which the foundation campaigned, bans use of all tobacco products,...

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Talking to your doctor about an abusive relationship

When Jayden called our clinic to talk about worsening migraines, a medication change was one potential outcome. But moments into our telehealth visit, it was clear that a cure for her problems couldn’t be found in a pill. “He’s out of control again,” she whispered, lips pressed to the phone speaker, “What can I do?” Unfortunately, abusive relationships like Jayden’s are incredibly common. Intimate partner violence (IPV) harms one in four women and...

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On another record day for virus and hospital cases, Beshear says people should wear masks to protect themselves, not just others

Kentucky Health News graph; case numbers are based on initial, unadjusted reports By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News After announcing yet another record for the highest number of new coronavirus cases in a single day, Gov. Andy Beshear's messaging shifted to put more of the onus on community members to protect...

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Are there medical exceptions for mask wearing? Very few.

The Washington Post A so-called “mask loophole” has been circulating on social media. It suggests that people who don't want to wear masks should tell store workers that they have a medical condition, and if challenged they should cite the privacy section of HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. To be clear, the Americans with Disabilities Act doesn't apply to people without disabilities, and HIPAA only applies to the flow...

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Mind-body medicine in addiction recovery

As someone who struggled with a miserable opiate addiction for 10 years, and who has treated hundreds of people for various addictions, I am increasingly impressed with the ways in which mind-body medicine can be a critical component of recovery from addiction. Mind-body medicine is the use of behavioral and lifestyle interventions, such as meditation, relaxation, yoga, acupuncture, and mindfulness, to holistically address medical problems. Mind-body...

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Virus cases and hospitalizations accelerate, setting new records

Gov. Beshear recognized Bobby Rorer of Lawrenceburg, who died of covid-19. He enlisted at age 16. By Lisa Gillespie Kentucky Health News Kentucky's coronavirus increase accelerated Tuesday, as the state reported 1,786 new cases, the state’s highest one-day total yet.  “We are seeing this very serious escalation...

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