Princess Health and Wellness coalition in Perry County, where life expectancy is state's lowest, gets funding from Foundation for a Healthy Ky.. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Wellness coalition in Perry County, where life expectancy is state's lowest, gets funding from Foundation for a Healthy Ky.. Princessiccia

Appalachia children children's health education farm to school farmers' markets food Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky foundations grants hospitals life expectancy nutrition philanthropy schools

Gusty 10:14 Add Comment

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has funded the Perry County Wellness Coalition's three-year plan to encourage fitness and better nutrition in school-age children, "Kids on the Move!"

The wellness coalition will receive $144,450 from the foundation this year, matched by $124,944 from the community, to increase access to physical activity and provide healthier food options and nutrition education. Perry County has the lowest life expectancy in Kentucky.

"Our children are the most valuable resource we have," said Gerry Roll, executive director of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, which is serving as fiscal agent for the coalition. "It's the best investment we can make as a community partner."

The health coalition will work with local schools to implement physical activity and nutrition-policy changes, collaborate with local farmers' markets for a strong farm-to-school component, and coordinate with other community agencies to create a lasting and collective impact.

The project also will implement best-practices nutrition and exercise programs in schools, support community gardens, summer feeding programs, and a "Farmacy" program to increase the purchase of healthier produce at farmers' markets and local grocery stores, among other changes to be coordinated by the agencies in the coalition.

The Appalachian Regional Healthcare hospital in Hazard will be the administrative hub for the coalition, providing leadership and sharing its expertise in promoting community health. "We have already begun these efforts by providing fitness fairs and health screenings to over 20 schools in our service area and reaching a little more than 2,500 middle school and high school age kids this year alone," said Hazard ARH Community CEO Dan Stone said.

The coalition is among seven Kentucky communities funded by the foundation's "Investing in Kentucky's Future" initiative, which is spending $3 million over five years to fund communities working to improve the health of their school-aged children. The other groups are in Breathitt, Clinton, Grant, Jefferson and McLean counties, and in Boyd and Greenup counties. Perry County was in the original announcement and recently completed its detailed plan. It shares with Breathitt and Wolfe counties the state's lowest life expectancy, 70 years.

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for seats on its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for seats on its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee. Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky foundations philanthropy

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The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is seeking nominations for two seats on its board of directors and three seats on its Community Advisory Committee, which drive the foundation's policy work and investments. Nominations are due July 22.

Board members represent the interests of Kentucky's medically under-served and include individuals working in health policy, health-care services and health-care finance. However, the board also seeks members who are not employed by health-care organizations and can provide varying perspectives.

The two board seats available are in Jefferson County and an at-large seat that can be filled by anyone in the state.

The Community Advisory Committee, which advises the board and appoints some of its members, is seeking new members from areas not represented: the Purchase, Buffalo Trace, Gateway, Fivco, Big Sandy and Cumberland Valley area development districts. The greater Lexington area is over-represented, the foundation says.

The committee is seeking two additional members who are executive directors or trustees of organizations working to address the unmet health care needs of Kentucky. It is also seeking members with expertise outside health care, such as in business, law and education.

"Service on the board or CAC is an opportunity to help improve the health of Kentucky through policy changes, grantmaking and other means, while creating lasting connections with other individuals who have different backgrounds but similar interests," the foundation said in a news release. "It is anticipated that the board and CAC will be developing a new strategic plan during 2017, making this a particularly exciting time to join. The Foundation has a highly skilled and dedicated staff to manage day-to-day activities, enabling the Board and CAC to focus on strategic direction and efforts to improve the Foundation's programs."

The full call for nominations and a nomination form can be found on the Foundation's website, http://healthy-ky.org/.

Princess Health and Study shows uninsured rate keeps falling, preventive services are popular and rural hospitals have more uncompensated care. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Study shows uninsured rate keeps falling, preventive services are popular and rural hospitals have more uncompensated care. Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health care access health insurance insurance coverage Kynect Medicaid prevention research

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

The share of Kentuckians without health insurance continues to drop, and new Medicaid enrollees continue to take advantage of free preventive health services, according to an ongoing study of federal health reform's impact in the state.

The Foundation for a Health Kentucky is paying the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota more than $280,000 for a three-year study of how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is affecting Kentuckians.

The report found that the rate of people without health insurance in Kentucky continues to drop.

In December 2015, the uninsured rate was 7.5 percent, down from 9 percent in June 2015. The national rate in December was 11.7 percent. In 2013, before the implementation of the PPACA, Kentucky's uninsured rate was 20.4 percent.

Since December 2013, Kentucky's uninsured rate has dropped 12.9 percentage points, more than double the national decline of 5.6 percentage points, says the report. Uninsurance rates can vary depending on how they are measured. This study used data from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which produces state-level estimates of coverage twice a year.

"Lack of insurance is a significant barrier to getting necessary health care and preventive services timely," Susan Zepeda, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, said in a news release. "Tracking this and other key information about access to and cost of care in Kentucky helps to inform health policy decisions."

Kentucky also continues to have a lower uninsured rate than its eight nearest surrounding states, although Ohio (7.6 percent) and West Virginia (7.7 percent) are catching up. Missouri (11.6 percent), Tennessee (13 percent) and Virginia (12.6 percent), the three states surrounding Kentucky that did not expand Medicaid, have the highest uninsured rates. (SHADAC map)

And while the state saw a smaller share of new health-insurance customers than the country overall (20 percent versus 39 percent), Kentucky had the largest percentage of re-enrollees (59 percent) return to Kynect, the state's health insurance marketplace, to select plans compared to the rest of the nation (36 percent). Twenty-two percent of Kentuckians were automatically re-enrolled in plans.

Kynect, created by the Democratic administration of Steve Beshear, is in the process of being dismantled by the administration of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, so Kentuckians will have to sign up for their health insurance through the federal exchange, healthcare.gov, during the next enrollment period which begins Nov. 1, 2016 and runs through Jan. 31, 2017.

Traditional Medicaid enrollees will sign up through Benefind, the state's new one-stop-shop website that can be used to apply for Medicaid, the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, once known as food stamps) and Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP).

Expansion of Medicaid added about 400,000 Kentuckians to the program, and many of them have taken advantage of its free services to get screened for diseases and have physical or dental examinations.

Dark blue: traditional Medicaid enrollees
Light blue: Medicaid expansion enrollees

The latest report, which covers the fourth quarter of 2015, says 823 traditional Medicaid enrollees got screened for diabetes, compared to 2,959 Medicaid expansion enrollees. This was also true for colorectal screenings (see graph).

Overall, the study found that Medicaid covered 41,493 dental preventive services, 9,708 breast cancer screenings, 8,276 substance-abuse treatment services, and 5,589 colorectal-cancer screenings to enrollees aged 19-64.

Under federal health reform, Beshear expanded Medicaid to include those with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. The federal government pays for this expanded population through this year, but next year the state will be responsible for 5 percent of the expansion, rising in annual steps to the reform law's limit of 10 percent in 2020.

However, the future of the expansion is uncertain. Bevin has said that the state cannot afford its Medicaid population of about 1.3 million, and has charged his administration with designing a new Medicaid program, which will require federal government approval. He told reporters in early May that he was optimistic that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will approve the state's new plan, but if they don't it will be because "CMS does not want to see expanded Medicaid continue in Kentucky."

The study found that Medicaid enrollment continues to be the highest in Eastern Kentucky with 31 percent participation, followed by Western Kentucky at 26 percent participation.

It also notes that while levels of uncompensated care have dropped for both urban and rural hospitals since 2013, rural hospitals saw slight increases in uncompensated care in 2015. (SHADAC graphic)

For the full report, click here.

Princess Health and Beshear calls for transparency as Bevin and feds work on Medicaid changes and stakeholders prepare to meet Thursday. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Beshear calls for transparency as Bevin and feds work on Medicaid changes and stakeholders prepare to meet Thursday. Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health reform legislation Medicaid obamacare Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

Former Gov. Steve Beshear sent an open letter to Gov. Matt Bevin and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell May 9, accusing his Republican successor and President Obama's appointee of working "in secret" and with "no public input of any kind" to change the Medicaid program that Beshear expanded under Obama's reforms.

"On behalf of all who care about the health of Kentuckians, we demand the Bevin and Obama administrations pull back the curtain, stop the back-room deals, and allow for full disclosure and transparency throughout the development of this Medicaid waiver proposal that will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians, and the future of the entire commonwealth," Beshear wrote.

Beshear asked Bevin to release the details of his plan before Thursday, May 12, when the Foundation for a Health Kentucky is scheduled to host a stakeholders' meeting to discuss what they would like to see in the plan. He also asked Burwell to "demand" that Bevin provide details of the plan before any "formal or informal" decisions are made.

"This meeting of stakeholders should mark the beginning of the the process to solicit input from as many Kentuckians as possible, and the Bevin administration must create future opportunities for other interested stakeholders to weigh in before taking any next steps in the process," he wrote.

Bevin's office declined to comment, but told Kentucky Health News that stakeholder meetings have occurred and more formal ones are in the works. Bevin has said that he wants to announce his plan this summer.

According to the website on the type of waiver Kentucky is seeking, states are required to post their proposed plans for a 30-day comment period before sending them to the federal government. Once the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services accepts the application, it is required to post the proposal for another 30-day comment period.

Under federal health reform, Beshear expanded Medicaid to Kentuckians with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, adding about 400,000 people. The federal government pays for this expanded population through this year, but next year the state will be responsible for 5 percent of the expansion, rising in annual steps to the reform law's limit of 10 percent in 2020.

Bevin told reporters in early May that he had "gone to the mat" with federal officials but remains optimistic they will agree. "If it does not happen it will be because CMS does not want to see expanded Medicaid continue in Kentucky," he said.

Burwell's press secretary, Ben Wakana, "indicated any changes to Kentucky's Medicaid plan should not weaken it," Deborah Yetter reports for The Courier-Journal. Wakana told her, "Kentucky's Medicaid expansion has led to one of the biggest reductions of uninsured people in America, and any changes to the program should maintain or build on the historic improvements Kentucky has seen in access to coverage, access to care and financial security."

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article76530622.html#storylink=cpy

Bevin has said many times that the state can't afford its Medicaid population. He appointed Mark Birdwhistell, a University of Kentucky health executive and former state health secretary, in December to help his administration design a new Medicaid program.

Since then, no details have been released, but Bevin has said Kentucky's revised program should require its members to have "skin in the game" and that the state cannot continue to pay for the health insurance of "able-bodied adults."

He has also referred to Indiana's plan, which has monthly fees, co-payments and refers its participants to a work program, as a model for Kentucky. However, spokeswoman Jessica Ditto told Kentucky Health News in March that, "The Indiana model is just one of many models that we are looking at for influence in crafting a plan that is specifically tailored for the needs of Kentucky."

Beshear said evidence suggests a move to a plan like Indiana's will "lead to increased cost for enrollees, and less access to healthcare for the most vulnerable Kentuckians."

He noted that "federal rules prohibit waivers for the sole purpose of saving money or shrinking the size of the program, both of which Gov. Bevin has publicly stated are his goals." He suggested that it is "precisely these types of changes" that are in the proposal, and calls again for "public review and debate." In addition, he calls for CMS to not approve changes that "would leave beneficiaries worse off than they are under a state's existing Medicaid program."

Beshear writes in conclusion, "Transparency, openness and honest conversation with the people of Kentucky is not only the right thing to do on such a critical decision, the people demand it."

Princess Health and Poll finds many Kentuckians continue to struggle with cost of health care, though fewer are uninsured and struggling. Princessiccia

Princess Health and Poll finds many Kentuckians continue to struggle with cost of health care, though fewer are uninsured and struggling. Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health care costs health insurance health reform Medicaid poll

Gusty 17:21 Add Comment

While having health insurance certainly eases the cost burden of health care, nearly one-third of Kentucky adults struggle to pay their medical bills whether they have health insurance or not, and two in 10 say they often delay or skip needed medical care because of the cost, according to the latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

The poll, taken Sept. 17-Oct 7, found that in 28 percent of Kentucky households, someone had trouble paying medical bills in the previous 12 months. This didn't vary much between those with or without insurance, and was about the same as in 2014.

However, fewer Kentucky adults without insurance said they had difficulty paying their medical bills in 2015 than in 2014: down to 31 percent from 47 percent. In 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was fully implemented in Kentucky with expansion of the federal-state Medicaid program to people with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual out-of-pocket cost per person for health care in the United States in 2014 was $1,036,which includes costs for any expenses not covered by insurance, says the report.

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll also found that 20 percent of Kentucky households did not get the medical care they needed, or delayed care because of the cost, in the past 12 months. This was more common among Kentucky's uninsured (27 percent) than those with insurance (19 percent).

However, these figures were an improvement from 2009, when 58 percent of uninsured Kentucky adults said they delayed or didn't get needed care, and from 2014, when 38 percent said so.

Poorer adults, those eligible for Medicaid, were more likely to forgo health care because they can't afford it; 29 percent of them said they had in the previous year, while only 16 percent of people with higher incomes said so.

"Being able to access medical care and being able to afford that care are two important factors to improve health in Kentucky," Susan Zepeda, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, said in a news release. "KHIP data indicate that fewer Kentucky adults are delaying medical care. This helps Kentuckians get and stay healthier, getting timely preventive services and early help with management of chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma and with smoking cessation counseling."

The poll was conducted by Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati and for the foundation and Interact for Health, formerly the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. It surveyed a random sample of 1,608 adults via landline and cell phone, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

Princess Health and Annual health policy forum set Sept. 28 in Bowling Green.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Annual health policy forum set Sept. 28 in Bowling Green.Princessiccia

education food Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky foundations health education health policy housing nutrition philanthropy schools transportation workplace health

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This year's annual Howard L. Bost Health Policy Forum "will offer new insights and opportunities from a range of civic sectors for a shared vision, policies, and actions for community health," says its lead sponsor, the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

"Local, regional, and national speakers will share their knowledge and experiences in building healthy communities, with a focus on transportation and housing, education, food systems and policy, and employers and workplaces," the foundation says. "TED style" speakers will make presentations on each of the forum's four focus areas: education, food systems and policy, employer/workplace, and transportation/housing.

The forum will be held at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green on Monday, Sept. 28. For the registration website, click here.

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky accepting nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky accepting nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky

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The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.

The 15-member board is responsible for preserving the foundation�s $45 million endowment and upholding its charitable mission of addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. It gets advice from by the 31-member advisory committee.

People who will bring diversity to the foundation, and who are not affiliated with the health field, are especially encouraged to apply, the foundation said in a news release.

Nominations are being accepted for four seats on the board of directors, one from each of the following districts, with counties listed, and one at-large member:

� District 3: Adair, Bell, Casey, Clay, Cumberland, Clinton, Estill, Jackson, Garrard, Green, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Lincoln, Marion, McCreary, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Taylor, Washington, Wayne or Whitley.
� District 5: Anderson, Boyle, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Scott or Woodford.
� District 7: Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Martin, Magoffin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Rowan, Wolfe
� At large: Residents of any county in Kentucky can be nominated.

The foundation is also accepting nominations for nine new Community Advisory Committee members, who provide advice and recommendations to the board, serve as community liaisons, serve on foundation committees, take part in the annual policy forum and appoint or nominate candidates for director.

You can nominate yourself or someone you know by completing a nomination form, and attaching a resume or bio by July 24. You can submit the form online, by mail or via email to: Mary Jo Shircliffe, COO, Foundation for a Health Kentucky, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 100, Louisville KY 40223. Her e-mail is mschircliffe@healthy-ky.org. For more information call 502-326-2583 or (toll-free) 877-326-2583.

Princess Health and University of Kentucky rural health expert, Ty Borders, appointed to national advisory committee on rural health.Princessiccia

Princess Health and University of Kentucky rural health expert, Ty Borders, appointed to national advisory committee on rural health.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health policy rural health University of Kentucky

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University of Kentucky College of Public Health Professor Ty Borders was recently appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services.

Ty Borders

This committee is part of the Health Resources and Services Administration and includes a 21-member panel of nationally recognized rural health experts that is responsible for making recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services on issues related to rural health. Borders's appointment will continue until April 2019.

�This appointment is an honor not only for Dr. Borders and his family, but also for Kentucky,� Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., said in a UK news release. �Dr. Borders possesses a broad and deep understanding of the health care challenges facing rural Kentucky and America. His unique insight about evidence-based strategies that could improve rural health and health care delivery will greatly benefit the committee.�

Borders is the chair of the Department of Health Services Management and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky endowed chair in Rural Health Policy. He also serves as a founding co-director of the UK Institute for Rural Health Policy and is the editor of the Journal of Rural Health, an academic publication devoted to rural health research.

Princess Health andProposals sought for research of Appalachian 'bright spots' where health is better than socioeconomic factors would indicate.Princessiccia

Princess Health andProposals sought for research of Appalachian 'bright spots' where health is better than socioeconomic factors would indicate.Princessiccia

Appalachia county health Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health health rankings health status overall health status research

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A three-year research project to determine factors that can support a culture of health in Appalachia and whether that knowledge can be translated into actions that address the region's health disparities has released its Request for Proposal to invite proposals from qualified research teams and consultants who would like to work on this project.

The project,�Creating a Culture of Health in Appalachia: Disparities and Bright Spots,� is sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and will run through the end of 2017.

The research for this project will identify Appalachian �bright spots,� where health outcomes are better than would be expected based on unemployment and poverty rates and other community factors, and try to figure out why. Researchesr will also try to determine why health outcomes in some communities are not as good as would be expected.

The request for proposals offers detailed guidelines for submissions, which are due June 8. Applicants are encouraged to register for a webinar, detailed on the RFP, to be held May 7 at 10 a.m. EDT. Click here for more information.

Princess Health andMost Kentuckians don't think insurance rates should be higher for the obese, but are divided on increasing smokers' rates.Princessiccia

Princess Health andMost Kentuckians don't think insurance rates should be higher for the obese, but are divided on increasing smokers' rates.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health insurance obesity poll smoking tobacco

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By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News

By a very small margin, Kentuckians think insurance rates should be higher for smokers if the insurance company provides a free smoking cessation program, but most don't think rates should be higher for those who are overweight, says the latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

The poll, taken Oct. 8 to Nov. 6, found that 50 percent of Kentucky adults said it would be justified to set higher insurance rates for people who smoke, while 45 percent said it wouldn't be justified. Five percent were undecided. This finding was basically the same whether the person had insurance or not.

The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, which applies to each number, so the results were right on the error margin. That means in 19 of 20 cases, the results would be the same if the entire adult population of Kentucky were asked the question.

The poll found that most Kentuckians who have never smoked (63 percent) said insurance companies should not set higher insurance rates for people who smoke. Former smokers, at 51 percent, were less likely to agree with that opinion.

With about 27 percent of Kentuckians smoking, Kentucky leads the nation in smoking percentage, lung cancer and lung cancer deaths, which collectively come with a price tag.

Smoking cost the state $1.92 billion a year for health-care expenditures directly as a result of tobacco use, which amounts to $988 million a year in total taxpayer cost from smoking-related expenses, or $591 per household, Wayne Meriweather, chief executive officer of Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center in Leitchfield, representing the Kentucky Hospital Association, told legislators in December.

The poll also found that the majority of Kentucky adults, 67 percent, think it is unjustified to set higher insurance rates for people who are significantly overweight. Opposition was higher, 77 percent, among those who reported being in fair or poor health; among those who said they were in excellent or very good health, only 58 percent were opposed.

Kentucky ranks fifth in the nation for adult obesity, with one in three Kentuckians considered obese, according the "States of Obesity" report. This also comes with a price tag.

A study in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that a morbidly obese employee costs his or her employer approximately $4,000 more in health care and related costs every year than an employee of normal weight.

The poll was sponsored by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Interact for Health, formerly the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, and was conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. It surveyed a random sample of 1,597 adults via land lines and cell phones.

Princess Health andHigher-income Kentuckians' reported health keeps declining; reports from those with lower incomes go up, marginally.Princessiccia

Princess Health andHigher-income Kentuckians' reported health keeps declining; reports from those with lower incomes go up, marginally.Princessiccia

Affordable Care Act Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health health reform income Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act poll polls

Gusty 20:29 Add Comment

A statewide poll again finds that Kentuckians with higher incomes consider themselves in better health than those with lower incomes.

The latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll, taken Oct. 8 through Nov. 6, found that 55 percent of Kentucky adults who are above 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) said their health was either "excellent" or "very good," compared to 29 percent of Kentucky adults at or below 200 percent of the FPL. The FPL for a family of four in 2014 was $47,700.

However, the percentage of Kentucky adults in the higher-income category reporting excellent or very good health has dropped significantly since the poll started asking this question in 2008, to 55 percent in 2014 from 66 percent in 2008. So has the overall percentage of Kentucky adults reporting excellent or very good health, dropping to 41 percent in 2014 from 49 percent in 2008.

The percentage of lower-income Kentucky adults reporting excellent or very good has been about the same since 2008. This year the poll found a 3 percent increase among those in this group who reported very good or excellent health. The difference is not statistically significant, but coincides with implementation of federal health reform, and and if it continues could show the law's impact.

The poll also found that 52 percent of adults age 45 and younger considered their health as excellent or very good while 33 percent of those over age 45 reported excellent or very good health.

�KHIP provides important data regarding the connections among a person�s age, earnings level and perceived health status,� said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. �By asking the same question year to year, we can spot trends in perceived health. The latest results are an important reminder of the links between poverty and poor health.�

The poll is conducted by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati and is co-sponsored by Interact for Health, formerly the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. It surveyed a random sample of 1,597 adults via land lines and cell phones, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. That applies to each figure, making the 3 percent difference statistically insignifcant.

Princess Health and Princess Health andFoundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for its board and Community Advisory Committee by June 30.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andFoundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for its board and Community Advisory Committee by June 30.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky philanthropy

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The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting nominations for qualified persons to join its board of directors and its Community Advisory Committee.

The 15-member board is responsible for preserving the foundation�s endowment and upholding its charitable mission of addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. It is advised by the 31-member advisory committee.

Nominations are being accepted for a directorship from Kentucky Supreme Court District 2, the counties of Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Larue, Meade, Ohio, Union and Warren.

The board expects to elect four new Community Advisory Committee members, who make recommendations to the board, serve as community liaisons, serve on foundation committees, take part in the foundation's annual policy forum and appoint or nominate candidates to the board.

Nominations for the advisory committee are sought from residents of five area development districts: Purchase, Barren River, Lincoln Trail, Buffalo Trace and Fivco. Members should bring diversity to the foundation and not be currently employed in the health sector.

You may nominate yourself or someone else via the online nomination form and attach a resume or bio by June 30. You may submit the nomination online, by mail or vuia email to: Mary Jo Shircliffe, chief operating officer; Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky; 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 100; Louisville, KY 40223. Her email is mshircliffe@healthy-ky.org. You will receive an email acknowledgement of the receipt of your submitted nomination. For more information call 502-326-2583 or (toll free) 877-326-2584. 

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky seeks nominations for its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky philanthropy

Gusty 11:58 Add Comment

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is accepting nominations for qualified persons to join its board of directors and Community Advisory Committee.

The 15 directors are responsible for preserving the foundation�s endowment and upholding its charitable mission of addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. Nominations are being accepted for three seats, including one to be selected by the directors and one by the governor.

The third seat will represent Supreme Court District 6: Bath, Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Fleming, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. This director will be chosen by a Community Advisory Committee subcommittee, comprising five members who help run organizations addressing the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians.

The foundation is also accepting Community Advisory Committee nominations in anticipation of electing two new committee members. The 31 members provide advice and recommendations to the board, serve as community liaisons, serve on foundation committees, take part in the annual policy forum and appoint or nominate directors.

Please complete the nomination form and attach a resume or bio. Self-nominations are allowed.  The deadline for receipt of nominations is July 15. Mail to Mary Jo Dike, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, 1640 Lyndon Farm Court, Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40223, or email to mdike@healthy-ky.org. For more information call 502-326-2583 (toll-free 1-877-326-2584).

Princess Health and Poll shows strong support for medical marijuana in Kentucky.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Poll shows strong support for medical marijuana in Kentucky.Princessiccia

federal legislation Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health policy legislation legislature marijuana poll state government; General Assembly

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A statewide poll has found that 78 percent of Kentucky adults support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes if recommended by their doctor, while only 26 percent of favor it for recreational purposes.

There were no significant differences in the poll results among the regions of the state on the medical-marijuana question, but on the recreational-use question, the Louisville area and Northern Kentucky were more likely to favor it, at about 37 percent. For geographic and demographic breakdowns of the poll results, click here.

Nationally, 17 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and three states have recently legalized it for recreational use.

�Our Kentucky Health Issues Poll is designed to be informative to Kentucky policymakers,� said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. �Over the past several years, bills dealing with legalization of marijuana have been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly. This research gives policymakers a snapshot of Kentuckians� views on this issue and should be helpful as lawmakers consider issues for the 2014 legislative session.�

For years, Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, has introduced bills in the Kentucky Senate aimed to legalize medical marijuana. Although the bills, referred to as The Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, gained media coverage in the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, they have not received a committee hearing and have not passed.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Princess Health and Poll shows more than half of Ky. adults have no dental insurance and many go without essential dental care.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Poll shows more than half of Ky. adults have no dental insurance and many go without essential dental care.Princessiccia

dental care dental health Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health care access health insurance insurance oral health

Gusty 13:35 Add Comment

Routine dental care is essential to overall health, but a new poll shows 1.7 million Kentucky adults do not have dental insurance. That is more than times the number of people who will be at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, notes the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll.

The poll also showed that many Kentucky adults are going without the dental care they need. While the poll found that few owe money for dental bills, only 61 percent said they visited a dentist or dental clinic within the past year. The national figure is 70 percent.

�Oral health is essential to overall health,� said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the foundation. �Yet, our research indicates a majority of Kentuckians do not have dental coverage, so it is not surprising that a large number of adults do not have a personal dentist or oral health provider.�

Poor oral health or oral pain can lead to poor nutrition and can reduce someone's quality of life by making it difficult to sleep, work or interact with others, and having dental insurance is an important factor in determining whether someone is getting the dental care they need.  More than 50 percent of poll respondents indicated not having dental insurance of any kind, and almost half of that group said they skipped getting dental care or check-ups in the past year due to its cost.

Whether or not someone has a normal source of care is also an important factor in determining health care outcomes because those with a personal dentist or doctor are more likely to seek care. Almost 40 percent of poll respondents, however, said they do not have a personal dentist or oral health provider, and almost 80 percent of those respondents said its been more than five years since they last visited a dentist or dental clinic.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. The poll was conducted last year from Sept. 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 points.

Princess Health and Kentuckians tell pollsters they are concerned about air quality, but don't seem to put their concern into action.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Kentuckians tell pollsters they are concerned about air quality, but don't seem to put their concern into action.Princessiccia

air pollution Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky poll public health

Gusty 14:08 Add Comment

A recent poll shows that more than half of Kentucky adults, especially women, are concerned about air quality in their community, but only 48 percent say they change their behavior when an air quality alert is issued.

Perhaps they have never heard of an air quality alert, which is issued by a local or state air-pollution authority to protect the public's health from air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitors air quality and uses an Air Quality Index to warn the public when the amount of particle pollution or ozone in the air may harm their health.
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When pollution gets to a level of concern, alerts or action days are issued in participating areas, which in Kentucky are Louisville, Lexington and the Mammoth Cave area (primarily Edmonson County). This could explain why almost 30 percent of poll respondents from Louisville said they were very concerned about air quality in their community, and only 13 percent of respondents from Appalachia indicated this level of concern.

Almost 60 percent of Appalachians said they are not concerned at all about the air quality in their community, compared to 26 percent of Louisville respondents that aren't at all concerned. Few Eastern Kentucky counties are part of an air-quality monitoring program. In addition to the areas monitoring for alerts or action days, 37 Kentucky counties (colored in the map) participate in the monitoring program. Click here to compare counties.?

Counties covered by an air-quality monitoring program are colored.

The poll indicated that just 20 percent of Kentucky adults said they change or limit their activities a lot when air quality alerts are issued, and about 30 percent said they change their behavior a little.  Respondents from the Louisville region were most likely to change or limit their activities, while those in the Lexington area were the most likely to not change or limit their behavior at all. 

When air quality is at an unhealthy level, people can protect themselves by limiting outdoor activities or avoiding heavy exertion.  These protective measures are even more important for those sensitive to air pollution, such as people with heart or lung disease, the elderly and children.

�The quality of our air impacts all of us, but is particularly important for sensitive groups, such as children with asthma. When an air quality alert is issued, we can protect ourselves and our families by avoiding heavy exertion and limiting outdoor activities,� said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. �We can also do our part to limit emissions and protect our neighbors by turning off our car�s engine while we are waiting.� 

Almost 30 percent of Kentucky adults and 40 percent of Western Kentucky adults said they never turn their car�s engine off when waiting in their car and not moving, as in a traffic jam, train crossing or drive-through. Including those who never turn off their cars, more 60 percent said they wait at least four minutes before turning off their car�s engine when waiting in the car and not moving. Experts recommend turning off a waiting car�s engine after just ten seconds in order to save gas and limit emissions.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Princess Health and Most Kentucky adults don't know that drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the state, but those in the east do.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Most Kentucky adults don't know that drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the state, but those in the east do.Princessiccia

drug abuse drugs Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky poll prescription drug abuse prescription drugs rural health

Gusty 07:10 Add Comment

Drug overdoses, driven largely by prescription drug abuse, overtook motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional deaths in Kentucky back in 2010 and remain the state's leading cause of death. From 2000 to 2010, the number of drug-overdose deaths in Kentucky rose a staggering 296 percent, highlighting the state's drug abuse epidemic that now kills more than 1,000 Kentuckians a year. But a recent poll suggests many Kentuckians are not fully aware of the state's drug problem.

In an effort to gauge awareness of the problem, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll asked Kentucky adults whether traffic accidents, falls, firearms or unintentional drug overdoses resulted in the highest dumber of deaths in the state each year. Only 44 percent of Kentucky adults correctly indicated that drug overdose is the leading cause of unintentional Kentucky deaths; 43 percent incorrectly identified traffic accidents as the leading cause.

Respondents from Eastern Kentucky, where the problem is most prevalent  were more likely to correctly identify it as the leading cause of death, at 69 percent. However, only 29 percent of Louisville-area respondents did.

�Experts have reported significant prescription pain reliever abuse in eastern Kentucky,� said Susan Zepeda, presient of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll.  �It is no surprise that the Kentuckians most aware of this issue are those who are living in this region.  Awareness is the first step towards curbing this trend � it is up to all of us to get involved and take action to reduce the toll of this health crisis.�

The poll was conducted for the foundation and The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati from Sept. 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults throughout Kentucky was interviewed by land line and cell telephones, and the poll's margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Princess Health and Poll shows Kentucky health-care providers often fail to discuss HIV testing with patients.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Poll shows Kentucky health-care providers often fail to discuss HIV testing with patients.Princessiccia

AIDS doctors Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky HIV medical education nurse practitioners physician assistants physicians poll

Gusty 14:51 Add Comment

A new poll suggests that most Kentucky health-care providers follow guidelines for discussing HIV screening with their patients, despite the the importance of early treatment to prevent its progression to AIDS.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends routine HIV screenings for most patients, just 32 percent of Kentucky adults aged 18 to 64 report discussing HIV testing with their medical provider, according to the Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

About 40 percent of Kentucky adults reported they had never been tested for HIV. It�s estimated that 4,500 Kentuckians are living with HIV infection and it is estimated nationally that one in five people who have HIV do not know they do.

�It made headlines earlier this month when a little girl - the second person in history - was cured of HIV. As exciting as this development was, for most people, HIV remains a life-long condition that must be managed through medication to keep it from progressing to AIDS. The CDC�s recommendations are meant to improve the overall population health by detecting HIV so treatment can begin,� said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll.

�It appears that Kentucky providers are either not adhering to the routine screening recommendations or not communicating this message clearly to patients,� she said.

The poll, co-sponsored by the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, was taken Sept. 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults throughout Kentucky was interviewed by landline and cell telephones. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points

Princess Health and Survey suggests Great Recession has harmed the health of Kentuckians.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Survey suggests Great Recession has harmed the health of Kentuckians.Princessiccia

economy Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health status income poll poverty recession rural health

Gusty 06:12 Add Comment

A recent poll shows continuation of a trend threatening Kentucky's overall health: as the number of Kentuckians living in poverty goes up, the percentage of adults who report their health as excellent or very good goes down.

Just over four in 10 Kentucky adults in the latest Kentucky Health Issues Poll described their health as excellent or good. In 2008, almost half used those descriptions.

People with higher incomes have consistently reported better health since the poll began tracking the health status of Kentucky adults 2008. Since research has shown a strong link between higher income and better health, the Great Recession and the resulting increases in unemployment, underemployment and poverty appear to be harming the overall health of Kentucky�s population.

In the accompanying graph, showing responses by income categories, FPL stands for federal poverty level, which in 2011 was a yearly household income of $22,350. Among the categories, 58 percent in the highest category said their health is excellent or good, but only 25 percent of those living in poverty used those descriptions.

Although the health status for each income category has remained fairly constant, the poll reflects federal data that show more people living in poverty. More than 33 percent in the latest poll were earning less than the federal poverty level; in 2008, that was only 19 percent. The polls, which used self-reporting of income and survey methods that differ from federal methods, showed much higher poverty rates than federal data.

�We know there is a direct relationship between income and good health, and these data reflect that,� said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, a sponsor of the poll. �While changes in our health-care delivery system may provide more health-care opportunities for low-income Kentuckians, these results show how vital a strong economy, and jobs that pay well, are to our population�s health.�

The poll, co-sponsored by the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, was taken Sept. 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults throughout Kentucky was interviewed by landline and cell telephones. The poll's margin of error is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky gives UK $1 million for endowed co-chairs in rural health policy.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky gives UK $1 million for endowed co-chairs in rural health policy.Princessiccia

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky health policy public health rural health University of Kentucky

Gusty 06:16 Add Comment

Tyrone "Ty" Borders in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health's Department of Health Services Management, and Brady Reynolds in the UK College of Medicine's Department of Behavioral Science, have been named the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky endowed co-chairs in rural health policy.

A $1 million gift from the foundation to the College of Medicine was matched by the state Research Challenge Trust Fund, better known as "Bucks for Brains." The gift has the goal of enriching Kentucky's research capabilities in regards to rural health issues and rural health policy.

Reynolds earned doctoral and master's degrees in life-span developmental psychology from West Virginia University. He also holds a master's degree in general/experimental psychology and a bachelor's degree (magna cum laude and with distinction) from James Madison University. His research has focused on nicotine use by adolescents, drug use, gambling and other addictive behaviors. In recent years Reynolds has begun research to promote smoking cessation among pregnant smokers in rural Appalachia.

Borders earned doctoral and master's degrees in health administration, as well as a master's degree in epidemiology from the University of Iowa, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Kansas. His research focuses on the conduct and analysis of population-based studies to identify subgroups of persons at risk for poor health and problems obtaining health services, with an emphasis on rural populations.

�Drs. Reynolds and Borders have skills in intervention research and rural health policy expertise that can help the University remain at the forefront of rural health policy work in today�s rapidly changing healthcare environment,� said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the foundation.

The mission of the foundation is to addresses the unmet health care needs of Kentuckians. Mission objectives are advanced through two initiative areas: promoting responsive health policy and a new children�s initiative named �Investing in Kentucky�s Future.� Foundation work aims to improve access to health care, reduce risks and disparities, promote health equity and healthy lifestyles. Since 2001, over $22 million has been invested in health policy research and demonstration grant projects across Kentucky