Legislature, convening Tuesday, is being asked to strengthen laws on sales of cigarettes and vapes to minors, including licensing

Map by Jeremy Chisenhall, Lexington Herald-Leader "When the General Assembly returns to Frankfort on Jan. 2, one of the many problems it’s been asked to address is youth smoking — particularly vaping, which studies suggest has become more far common for Kentucky high school students than cigarette smoking," reports...

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Rising flu cases drive continued increases in emergency-room visits and hospital admissions for repiratory illnesses in Kentucky

State graphs, adapted by Kentucky Health News By Al CrossKentucky Health News A big jump in influenza cases more than outweighed small declines in Covid-19 and respiratory syncitial virus as Kentuckians headed into the holidays, according to the state's latest respiratory-illness update. The report for the week...

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2023 was a tough year in many ways, but saw significant positive developments in science and medicine, Washington Post reports

2023 saw new understanding and the start of a treatment for dementia, as clinical trials cotinue at the University of Kentucky and other sites. (iStock photo via Washington Post) Kentucky Health News Despite wars, the most mass killings since 2006 and the hottest average temperatures in human history, "2023...

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CDC keeps urging health-care providers to recommend and offer vaccines; flu, Covid-19 and RSV rates are elevated in Kentucky

State Department for Public Health graphs, adapted by Ky. Health News By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to encourage health-care providers to get their patients immunized against flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncitial virus, noting that a recent poll shows...

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Beshear wants lawmakers to be empathetic on controversial issues like abortion; sees better health for Ky. as possible legacy

Gov. Andy Beshear during his interview with Kentucky Health News in the State Reception Room of the Capitol By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News In an interview Wednesday with Kentucky Health News, Gov. Andy Beshear said he would be pleased if one of his legacies as governor was improving the health of Kentuckians,...

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The odds of dying from a heart attack are highest on Dec. 25, followed by Dec. 26 and Jan. 1; don't be reluctant to seek care

University of Utah graphic; to enlarge, click on it. By Rachel Fairbank National Geographic While the holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, they can also be one of the most stressful—especially for the heart. Along with traveling, family time, and festivities, the celebrations are also linked with...

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Fact-checkers at Politifact say RFK Jr.'s presidential campaign of conspiracy theories, mainly about health topics, is 'Lie of the Year'

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is running as an independent candidate for president. (AP photo by Meg Kinnard) Politifact is a fact-checking service of The Poynter Institute, a foundation for journalism that says it is "an instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens." By...

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Ky. gambling problem help-line calls have tripled since legislature legalized sports betting; state has only seven certified counselors

Mike Stone, executive diredctor of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, talks with a potential recruit at a conference in his effort to train more problem-gambling counselors. (Image from KET) Kentucky Health News Since sports betting became legal in Kentucky on Sept. 7, calls to the state problem-gambling hotline...

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Incoming attorney general replaces leading advocate of funding research aimed at legalizing psychedelic for addiction treatment

By Al Cross Kentucky Health News The main proponent of using state opioid-settlement money to fund research into a psychdelic drug as a treatment for addiction will soon be out of a job. Bryan Hubbard, the chair and executive director of the state Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission under outgoing Attorney General Daniel...

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Lt. Gov. Coleman has twin mastectomy, citing exam, family history

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman (January 2022 photo) Kentucky Health News Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman underwent a double mastectomy Monday, then issued a statement saying the surgery was prompted by an examination and her family history. “Concerns were raised to me during a recent routine physical exam,” she said. “With...

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Businesses are pitching local governments to give them money from the national opioid settlement; Ky. advisers say to go slow

Information for this story was also gathered by Kentucky Health News. By Aneri PattaniKFF Health News The pitches are bold and arriving fast: Invest opioid settlement dollars in a lasso-like device to help police detain people without Tasers or pepper spray. Pour money into psychedelics, electrical stimulation devices, and...

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Some decongestants spike blood pressure; alternatives available

Photo by September15, iStock/Getty Images Plus By Dr. Vincent Sorrell University of Kentucky It’s the season for respiratory viruses and the cough, congestion and sore throats they bring. There are many options for over-the-counter (OTC) remedies and relief, but if you have high blood pressure, you may want to take...

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Flu, Covid-19 and RSV rates are so high that the CDC has issued a health advisory urging more Americans to get vaccinated

State graphs, adapted by Kentucky Health News By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As illness from the three respiratory viruses tracked by Kentucky health departments — influenza, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — continue to pile up, the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention has issued...

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Bipartisan bill would allow guns to be taken from people judged to be at risk of hurting themselves or others; opposition voiced

This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. By Sarah LaddKentucky Lantern A Republican-backed draft bill aimed at temporarily removing firearms from Kentuckians at risk of harming themselves or others garnered mixed reactions...

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