Princess Health and UK research project will create strategies to improve respiratory health for those living in Appalachian Kentucky.Princessiccia

Princess Health and UK research project will create strategies to improve respiratory health for those living in Appalachian Kentucky.Princessiccia

air pollution Appalachia asthma chronic disease environment public health research respiratory illness University of Kentucky

Gusty 10:48 Add Comment

Public health researchers at the University of Kentucky will undertake a five-year long research project called "Community-Engaged Research and Action to Reduce Respiratory Disease in Appalachia," Sarah Noble writes in a UK press release.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the project will involve creating strategies to improve respiratory and environmental public health. Kentuckians living in Appalachian counties have the state's highest rates of serious respiratory illness.

"Adults in Appalachian Kentucky are 50 percent more likely to develop asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than the overall U.S. population," Noble writes. "As many as one in five adults in the region have received a diagnosis of asthma, and rates of COPD are nearly two-and-a-half fold the incidence of the disease in other parts of the country.

Although studies show associations between respiratory health problems and environmental contaminants, data doesn't yet include individual-level assessments or behavioral risk factors common in the area�such as smoking, poor diet and insufficient physical activity. The "Community Response to Environmental Exposures in Eastern Kentucky" project will fill those gaps.

The CREEEK project will include three steps. A community-based assessment will "identify the relationships between indoor air pollutants, behavioral and social determinants and the effects these factors have on risk of respiratory disease," Noble writes. That information "will be shared with local stakeholders in an effort to increase understanding of the environmental exposures present in the region," then the project will put in place "an environmental public health action strategy and will evaluate that strategy's ability to impact short-and long-term outcomes for respiratory health."

Princess Health and Princess Health andIn selling proposed limits on CO2, Obama administration emphasizes health improvement, not climate-change fight.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andIn selling proposed limits on CO2, Obama administration emphasizes health improvement, not climate-change fight.Princessiccia

air pollution asthma children's health climate change environmental health global warming president

Gusty 10:58 Add Comment

By Melissa Landon and Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

As it announced its plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 30 percent by 2030, the Obama administration emphasized the health angle, not climate change, which has been the driving force for the proposed regulations but is a more controversial cause than improving health.

"For the sake of our families' health and our kids' future, we have a moral obligation to act on climate," EPA administrator Gina McCarthy said in her announcement.

Juliet Eilperin and Steven Mufson note in The Washington Post that when a climate bill stalled in the Senate four years ago, environmental and public health activists began pressuring Preisdent Obama to mandate carbon limits. Opponents to the measure include coal producers, some utilities and many Republicans, who say that the EPA has not proposed a plan that can work using current technology.

Under the new rules, states would use different strategies�such as energy efficiency, shifting from coal to natural gas, investing in renewable energy and making power plant upgrades�to achieve state-by-state goals. The reductions will be measured from 2005 levels; Environmental Protection Agency data reveal that power plants in the U.S. have already diminished carbon dioxide emissions by almost 13 percent since 2005, The Associated Press reports.

EPA estimates the rules will prevent as many as 6,600 premature deaths, 150,000 asthma attacks in children, up to 490,000 missed work and school days�saving $93 billion, Connie Hedegaard writes for EurActiv. The federal Centers for Disease Control reports that "exposure to particle pollution may cause worsening asthma symptoms, breathing problems, adverse birth outcomes, lung cancer and early death," Healio reports.

The new rules are intended to assist Washington in achieving international obligations to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions deemed responsible for global warming, but Obama is focusing on the human health benefits to encourage Americans to adopt the movement, Jeff Mason wres for Reuters.

Although federal law has been employed to regulate other pollutants�such as soot, mercury and lead�this is the first time it has been applied to greenhouse gases, Fox News reports, quoting Obama: "We limit the amount of toxic chemicals like mercury, sulfur and arsenic that power plants put in our air and water. But they can dump unlimited amounts of carbon pollution into the air. It's not smart, it's not safe, and it doesn't make sense."

Princess Health and Princess Health andKentucky gets $1.75 million in national settlement with big drug maker; marketing and promotional practices reined in.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andKentucky gets $1.75 million in national settlement with big drug maker; marketing and promotional practices reined in.Princessiccia

asthma depression drugs pharmaceuticals

Gusty 21:16 Add Comment

Kentucky will receive approximately $1.75 million from a $105 million national settlement with GlaxoSmithKline to resolve allegations that the pharmaceutical manufacturer unlawfully promoted its asthma drug, Advair, and its antidepressant drugs, Paxil and Wellbutrin, according to a press release from Attorney General Jack Conway's office.

The complaint and consent judgment alleges that GSK violated state consumer-protection laws by misrepresenting the uses and qualities of these drugs. Conway said in the release that this settlement will change the way pharmaceutical sales teams are motivated and paid.

The consent judgement requires GSK to reform its marketing and promotional practices, stating the company shall not: make any false, misleading or deceptive claim about its products; make claims not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; present information or conclusions from inadequate clinical studies; provide samples to health care professionals if they know it is being prescribed for non-approved use; or provide information describing any off-label use of a GSK product, unless consistent with applicable Food and Drug Administration regulations.

They must also continue a program through March 2019 that decreases financial incentives for sales representatives who use deceptive marketing practices, says the release.  In addition, scientifically trained personnel will be responsible for providing unbiased and non-promotional information to health care providers.

Kentucky joined 43 other states and the District of Columbia in reaching the national settlement with GSK.

Princess Health and Princess Health andThis is Asthma Awareness Month, more important in Kentucky than in most states; we have one of the nation's highest rates.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andThis is Asthma Awareness Month, more important in Kentucky than in most states; we have one of the nation's highest rates.Princessiccia

asthma children's health respiratory illness schools smoking tobacco

Gusty 15:52 Add Comment

In May the Kentucky Department for Public Health is observing Asthma Awareness Month by cultivating awareness about the disease's impact and working with the Kentucky Asthma Partnership to reach both health care providers and schools to assist people with asthma.

Asthma sometimes creates disability, reduces quality of life and diminishes work productivity.  "While there is no cure for asthma, the burden of the disease can be lessened with proper management. With the right tools and resources, the numbers of missed schools days and work days, emergency room visits and hospitalizations can be greatly reduced," Public Health Commissioner Stephanie Mayfield, M.D., said in a news release from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Kentucky has one of the nation's highest rates of asthma: one in 10 children and one in 11 adults. The disease costs Kentucky $399 million every year in direct medical costs, estimates the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Asthma also causes loss of money through work absenteeism and is one of the top reasons children miss school.

This month the state health department will collaborate with the Kentucky Asthma Partnership to encourage providers, schools and communities to both assist people with asthma and create an asthma action plan. "Educational tools will be made available, including Creating Asthma Friendly Schools, the EPR-3 Asthma guidelines and Asthma 1-2-3 Training. In addition, the American Lung Association of the Midland States will be sponsoring the Fight for Air Walk June 7 at Iroquois Park in Louisville," according to the press release.

According to health department staff, people need to know what to do in response to asthma attacks. "An asthma action plan helps patients identify when asthma is out of control and what steps need to be taken to respond to asthma attacks," said Pam Spradling, manager of the state asthma program. "Parents and caregivers can help schools identify children with asthma, make sure medications are available to the child and that an asthma action plan is on file," Spradling said. "Schools and workplaces can help reduce the risk of exposure to indoor asthma triggers year round by improving air quality and reducing exposure to second hand smoke."

To learn more, go to the Kentucky Asthma Program's website or the CDC's National Asthma Control Program website.

Princess Health and Princess Health andStudy in Ky., 3 other states indicates exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles can cause asthma attacks in non-smokers.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andStudy in Ky., 3 other states indicates exposure to secondhand smoke in vehicles can cause asthma attacks in non-smokers.Princessiccia

asthma research smoking tobacco tobacco prevention

Gusty 08:06 Add Comment

Kentucky adults who have never smoked are more likely to have an asthma attack when exposed to secondhand smoke in a vehicle than those who are not exposed, according to a research paper recently published in Tobacco Control, an international, peer-reviewed journal.

The study looked at 17,863 adults in Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi who said they had never smoked; 7.4 percent reported having asthma, and 12.3 percent reported exposure to secondhand smoke in a vehicle in the past seven days.

As expected, the study found that adults with asthma in vehicles in which smoking was voluntarily prohibited had less exposure to secondhand smoke, 9.5 percent, than those in vehicles without such a prohibition, 56.7 percent.

The conclusion was that adults exposed to secondhand smoke in a vehicle had a higher odds of having current asthma compared to unexposed adults, says the study's lead author, Kimberly Nguyen of the Office on Smoking and Health in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Data for the research came from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and was restricted to states that offered information on secondhand smoke. The data, from 2011, was gathered via telephone from adults aged 18 or older. The article is available for purchase here.

Princess Health and Childhood obesity is linked to more immediate health problems than doctors formerly realized.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Childhood obesity is linked to more immediate health problems than doctors formerly realized.Princessiccia

ADHD allergies asthma child obesity childhood obesity depression disabilities headaches learning disorders obesity research

Gusty 12:39 Add Comment

While a plethora of research on childhood obesity has linked it to long-term health problems, a new UCLA study focuses on the condition's more proximate consequences, showing that obese children are at a greater risk for immediate health problems than previously thought. That's important for Kentucky, which ranks poorly in many health measures and is third highest in child obesity. (Photo by Tara Kaprowy)

"This study paints a comprehensive picture of childhood obesity, and we were surprised to see just how many conditions were associated with childhood obesity," said lead author Dr. Neal Halfon, a professor of pediatrics, public health and public policy at UCLA.

Compared to kids who are not overweight, the study found that obese children have nearly twice the risk of having three or more reported medical, mental or developmental conditions. Specific medical conditions included bone, joint and muscle problems; asthma; allergies; headaches; and ear infections. Obese children also reported a greater tendency toward emotional and behavioral problems, higher rates of grade repetition, missed school days and other school problems, ADHD, conduct disorder, depression, learning disabilities, and developmental delays.

The study provides the first comprehensive national profile of associations between weight status and a broad set of associated health conditions, a UCLA release said. Halfon said these findings should serve as a wake-up call to physicians, parents and teachers, who should be better informed of the risk for health conditions associated with childhood obesity. (Read more)

Princess Health and New treatment first offered in Louisville is helping asthma sufferers.Princessiccia

Princess Health and New treatment first offered in Louisville is helping asthma sufferers.Princessiccia

asthma lung disease research

Gusty 06:27 Add Comment

Shannon Denson, who has severe asthma, gets bronchial
thermoplasty. Courier-Journal photo.

Asthma sufferers can now benefit from an innovative treatment that was first offered at University Hospital in Louisville.

Patients like Shannon Denson are seeing improvement thanks to bronchial thermoplasty, "a minimally invasive, three-step procedure using heat to open airways in adults with severe asthma so they can breathe more easily," reports Laura Ungar of The Courier-Journal.

"Over the years, airways become very narrow. This opens them up," said Dr. Tanya Wiese, an interventional pulmonologist with University of Louisville Physicians, which partnered with UH to offer the treatment.

The treatment is not a cure but it does improve the condition of the lungs, which is good news since asthma rates are high in Kentucky. In the Ohio Valley, almost 15 percent of Kentucky adults said they had asthma, making it the seventh-highest rate in 2010, a survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. (Read more)