Princess Health and Princess Health andFoundation for a Healthy Kentucky reports putting 24 percent more money into grants last year than in 2012.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andFoundation for a Healthy Kentucky reports putting 24 percent more money into grants last year than in 2012.Princessiccia

cardiovascular disease children's health foundations health policy philanthropy public health schools smoking smoking ban smoking bans smoking ordinances

Gusty 13:33 Add Comment

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky made grants totaling $2,355,838 in 2013, a 24 percent increase over the 2012 total of $1,903,660, according to the annual report it released yesterday.

Last year was the first in which the foundation made grants for two major initiatives: Investing in Kentucky's Future, which it calls "a $3 million commitment to seven Kentucky communities where civic leaders have come together and committed to a process and a plan for collective impact on the future health of their children," and Promoting Responsive Health Policy, which tries to see that voices of under-represented populations are part of the health-policy conversation in Kentucky.

The first initiative's seven grantees are Fitness for Life Around Grant County, the Clinton County Schools (for the Healthy Hometown Coalition), the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky (for the Perry County Health and Wellness Coalition), the Green River Area Development District (for the Partnership for a Healthy McLean County), the Kentucky Heart Foundation (for work in Boyd and Greenup counties), Kentucky River Community Care (for the Breathitt County Health Planning Council for Children) and the Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness (for the Coalition for Louisville Youth).

Under the policy initiative, the report says, grantees "are working to improve access to needed health care, support children's health, strengthen local public health and "increase the number of Kentuckians living in communities where workplaces are smoke-free." For a complete list of grants made by the foundation in 2013, click here. For a January press release about them, click here.

The foundation was established in 2001 to settle a lawsuit by then-Attorney General Ben Chandler against Anthem Inc. to recover the charitable assets that Anthem had gained in its merger with the old Kentucky Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The foundation's net assets grew to nearly $56.4 million last year, a 7.7 percent increase over the end of 2012.

The foundation is a non-profit philanthropy with a mission of addressing the unmet health-care needs of Kentuckians. It has invested more than $24 million in health-policy research and pilot-project grants that invests in communities and informs health policy through grant making, research and education. It says it is "committed to improving access to care, reducing health risks and disparities and promoting health equity."

The foundation also acts as a convener, through its annual Howard L. Bost Health Policy Forum, its "Health for a Change" workshops and webinars, funding of conferences held by others and meeting space at its new offices in eastern Jefferson County for more than 21 community and statewide organizations.

It also acts as a communicator, through its annual Kentucky Health Issues Poll and other research, and it funds independent health reporting by Kentucky Educational Television and the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues in the School of Journalism and Telecommunications at the University of Kentucky, which publishes Kentucky Health News.

Princess Health and Princess Health andParents can help teens make healthy food choices this summer by strategically stocking the pantry.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andParents can help teens make healthy food choices this summer by strategically stocking the pantry.Princessiccia

diet nutrition teenagers

Gusty 12:33 Add Comment

A steady diet of junk food can be especially harmful to teens, who tend to experience a growth spurt during these years, and these poor nutritional choices as teens can affect their health in years to come, reports Newswise, a research-reporting service.

�While it�s important to eat healthy at every age and stage, the growth and physical maturation occurring during adolescence makes good nutrition all the more critical,� Kristen Kizer, a clinical dietician with Houston Methodist Wellness Services, said in the release. �Teens are growing, meaning that their cells are diving rapidly. This means increased calorie and protein needs, as well as increased need for vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, iron, and folate.�

So, as parents stock their refrigerators and pantries for the summer, it is important for you to remember to include healthy foods that are quick, easy and tasty to teens, while paying special attention to providing foods high in calcium and vitamin D.

Calcium and vitamin D intake should be of particular importance for teens because about half of peak bone mass occurs during the teen years, Kizer explains in the release. If teens don't get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, they can become adults with poor bone density, setting themselves up for osteoporosis and bone fractures in later years.

The National Institute of Health says teenagers need 1,300 milligrams of calcium each day. Kidshealth.org offers a list of foods that are high in calcium that includes dairy products, veggies including broccoli and dark green, leafy vegetables, soy products, calcium-fortified foods, beans and canned fish.

Parents and teens should also remember that good eating habits and a healthy weight are important to establish during the teen years because approximately 90 percent of overweight and obese teens will remain overweight or obese as adults, Newswise reports.

�Most teens aren't thinking about chronic disease 30 years down the road, reminding them that the foods they choose now have an impact on their appearance, athletic performance, or academics can help them make healthier choices,� Kizer says in the release. �Girls especially may be struggling with body image issues, so helping them select foods that will make them physically feel well can also improve their mood and emotional health.�

Kizer's suggestions for healthy food choices:

• Guacamole, made from a jar of salsa and avocados, and baby carrots. The vitamin C in the salsa will keep the guacamole from turning brown and the healthy monounsaturated fat from the avocado will keep your hungry teens satisfied.
• Whole wheat rotini and veggies and pasta sauce, all mixed together and ready to heat. This meal provides fiber, magnesium, manganese and selenium.
• Greek yogurt with fruit. The added protein from the Greek yogurt will keep your hungry teen full and he or she will also be getting fiber from the fruit, as well as vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, and calcium.
• Cereal. Look for cereals that include no more than 6 grams of sugar.
• Baked chips instead of full-fat chips.
• Low-fat ice-cream sandwiches or 100 percent frozen fruit bars.
• Whole-wheat thin crust pizza that features veggies rather than high-fat meat like sausage and pepperoni.

Princess Health and Princess Health and30 participants contribute to 'Expressions of Courage' art exhibit at UK cancer center for National Cancer Survivorship Month.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health and30 participants contribute to 'Expressions of Courage' art exhibit at UK cancer center for National Cancer Survivorship Month.Princessiccia

cancer

Gusty 09:39 Add Comment

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center held its first "Expressions of Courage" event, an art exhibit showcasing art connected to an experience with a cancer diagnosis or created in memory of a Markey patient, on June 6 as part of National Cancer Survivorship Month.

The artistic entries from the 30 participants who responded were on display in the Combs Research Building at Markey. They included paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, and quilting as well as performing and literary art performances, Allison Perry and Abby Besson report for UKNow.

"The artwork is very moving and inspiring, and actually will bring tears to your eyes if you read some of the pieces," Cindy Robinson, a nurse practitioner at Markey and one of the organizers of the event, told the authors. " We have some pieces here from patients that are no longer with us, and we personally know those people."

Expressions of Courage was made possible by gifts from the Markey Cancer Foundation and Biological Systems Consulting, Inc.

Norton Cancer Center and Markey patient Phillip Meeks contributed a drawing created by his daughter depicting the "unlikely good fortune of his treatment."

Meeks was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2012 and required a bone marrow transplant to survive, the authors write. As an African-American - a population that makes up around seven percent of the bone marrow registry - and an adoptee without biological siblings or parents to get tested, the odds of finding a match were against him.

Upon admission to the hospital, Meeks found a token underneath his hospital bed that said "Believe in Miracles" on one side and "Faith" on the other. He told the authors that he took this token as a sign from God that he wasn't alone and to not be afraid. This token was the inspiration for his daughters art.

Meeks received his life-saving transplant in January 2013. He told the authors that not only was Expressions of Courage a day to showcase talent, but a day survivors could show their appreciation to the staff of Markey.

"I just want to give back," Meeks said. "That's my big thing. How can you thank so many people that are involved in saving your life? There's not a gift that you can give that's big enough. Hopefully this is my one little piece to say thank you for everything that everybody has done for me."

Princess Health andRecap: #MikeVsDave.Princessiccia

Princess Health andRecap: #MikeVsDave.Princessiccia

Gusty 07:18 Add Comment

The epic battle of #TeamMike vs. #TeamDave has come and gone.  Who was the victor?  Here is a breakdown of how the event transpired:

Play-By-Play:

1. First across the line for both teams was the talented RunnerRob for #TeamDave.  He posted an excellent, sub-34 time.  First across the line for #TeamMike was Coach Sean with a time of 34:34.  This gave #TeamDave an early lead.  Time Gap: 41s, #TeamDave leading
2. Once the second place runners on each time crossed the finish line, #TeamMike took the lead!  Coach Dyce from #TeamDave just missed his PB, running an impressive 36:14.  Brendan, from #TeamMike countered with an impressive 34:57 PB.  Time Gap: 36s, #TeamMike leading
3. IronLuke and Ahmed Ahmed (Young Blood) were up next.  Luke managed to post an epic 36:46 PB for #TeamMike.  Ahmed countered with a great time of 37:47.  Time Gap: 1:37, #TeamMike leading
4. Sitting 1.5 minutes behind with only 2 runners to go, #TeamDave was going to have stage a tremendous comeback to put themselves in contention.  Up next was Chris Goldsworthy for #TeamDave, posting a solid 38:09 PB to counter Pat's 38:54 for #TeamMike.  This brought to two teams closer, with only one runner to go.  Time Gap: 52s, #TeamMike leading  
5. Captain of #TeamDave, ENDURdave himself, was the next to come in for his team.  He finished with a time of 38:20.  Now, all that needed to happen was for somebody on #TeamMike to finish with a time of 39:12 or faster.  As everybody anxiously watched the clock, we saw Nick Burt from #TeamMike sprinting his way around the track.  For a while it seemed like he might make it just in time!  But, still with 50m to go, the clock hit 39:12- Nick finished with a great time of 39:22.  Time Gap: 10s, #TeamDave WINS 

In an shocking, come-from-behind fashion, #TeamDave came out on top by a mere 10 seconds total (average 2 seconds per athlete).  HERE are the full team results.

It was a well earned win, and they did not hesitate to bask in the glory of their victory:

CLICK: FOOTAGE of the celebration

Other Battle Results:

#TeamDave did not leave with the team battle win, but also a number of individual battle victories.  Dan (from #TeamDave) walked away on top after his #SameVsDan battle, and Manny (again from #TeamDave) walked away with the win in the #MannyVsHowie battle.  All of the results were quite close, but #TeamDave simply seemed to have the advantage today!  

Princess Health and Princess Health andSome school districts reject federal offer of free lunch for all students, saying schools would lose money on the deal.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andSome school districts reject federal offer of free lunch for all students, saying schools would lose money on the deal.Princessiccia

child obesity nutrition school lunch schools

Gusty 13:47 Add Comment

Some school districts are rejecting a federal program that would provide free meals to all students in districts with a certain percentage of students in poverty, Jared Nelson reports for The Times Leader in Princeton, after the Caldwell County Schools decided against joining the Community Eligibility Program.

�Right now, we are not at the economically feasible point to do that. We would lose money,� District Food Service Director Will Brown told Nelson.

Nelson writes, "The district�s food service program is largely self-sufficient, earning income based on students and teachers who pay full-price for meals, and federal reimbursement for those meals and those provided to students qualifying for free or reduced-rate lunches."

If everyone gets a free lunch, �You are losing all of your students on full paid status,� Brown said. �You�re losing that revenue.� He said the number of qualifying students is �not high enough to do that.�

In other words, Nelson writes, "Having a percentage sufficient to qualify ... is different from having a percentage that would make the program viable locally. . . . Brown said other districts have signed on to the CEP program in prior years and been adversely affected. . . . The revenue earned each year allows the food services department to be able to use its own funds to cover the costs of most repairs, new equipment, and other expenses required during the school year and in the summer.

The program "is expanding nationwide this year, after being tested in 11 states, including Kentucky," Nelson notes. Qualifications are based on students in households in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program, certain Medicaid recipients and foster children. (Read more; subscription required)

Princess Health and Princess Health andHow to keep kids safe from traumatic brain injuries this summer.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andHow to keep kids safe from traumatic brain injuries this summer.Princessiccia

children physical activity traumatic brain injuries

Gusty 18:20 Add Comment

About 1.7 million people in the U.S. suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, and nearly half a million children under 15 visit an emergency room for TBI. A brain injury is traumatic if it disrupts the normal function of the brain.

Dr. Michael Egnor, vice-chairman of neurology at New York's Stony Brook University Hospital and director of pediatric neurosurgery at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, provides ideas for how parents can help protect their children from brain injuries this summer.

Families are going on more bike rides, but not everyone knows that bicycle accidents are most likely to happen within five blocks of home. "Make sure your child wears a helmet every time he or she rides a bicycle, scooter or skateboard," Egnor said. "We're seeing the most head injuries right now in skateboarding, especially in young teens, who might think it's just not cool to wear a helmet."

Each year more than 200,000 children suffer from injuries on playgrounds in the U.S., according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The main cause is falls. Egnor suggested looking for shredded mulch, pea gravel, crushed stone and other loose surfaces and being extra careful on asphalt and concrete.

Parents with older children and teens should be aware of possible diving accidents. "In about 50 percent of cases of catastrophic injuries, alcohol or drugs is involved," Egnor said. "Ensure that responsible adults supervise pool parties and other events where swimming and diving are involved."

Egnor also warned of concussions during summer sports. He said, "The few serious injuries we treat from organized sports are usually accidents that probably could not have been prevented," he said, while many of the concussions he treats are mild because many sports require helmets.

Dealing with serious injuries quickly is key, Egnor said. "The full extent of the injuries may not appear immediately." (Read more)

Princess Health and Princess Health andPanel of physicians at national conference discuss future of rural primary care, how to solve doctor shortages.Princessiccia

Princess Health and Princess Health andPanel of physicians at national conference discuss future of rural primary care, how to solve doctor shortages.Princessiccia

doctor shortage physicians primary care rural health rural-urban disparities

Gusty 17:56 Add Comment

More needs to be done to address the shortage of primary-care physicians, a big problem in rural areas and much of Kentucky, according to a panel of physicians at "Rural Health Journalism 2014," Kris Hickman writes for the Association of Health Care Journalists, which sponsored the conference.

Almost half of rural U.S. counties, 44 percent, struggle with primary care physician shortages, said Andrew Bazemore, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care of the American Academy of Family Physicians. According to a presentation at the 2013 Kentucky Rural Medical Educators Conference, Kentucky had a 1,287:1 primary care physician to citizen ratio, which is 557 short of the national average.

The national shortage is expected to worsen soon because almost 27 percent of those providers are older than 60, said Mark A. Richardson, M.D., dean of Oregon Health and Science's School of Medicine.

Bazemore said the medical community needs to draw more attention to the need for more primary care physicians in rural areas. He also said that for every dollar spent on health care, only six or seven cents are spent on primary care. "States facing a shortage should remember that primary care is the logical basis of any health care system," Bazemore said.

Richardson recommended that medical schools try to recruit students who have rural backgrounds because they're more likely to return to practice in rural areas. He and Bazemore agree that students who practice in rural areas should be given loan forgiveness or scholarships. "Debt prevents many people from choosing primary care," Bazemore said.

Richardson said the most important factor for where medical students end up practicing is where they completed their training. "Rural training is one of the highest predictors of a rural practice and should be required," he said. To do this, the government-imposed cap on graduate medical education spending would have to be abolished.

"Medical care is not a free market dynamic," Richardson said. "We pay for health care transactions, rather than health." (Read more)