FDA finalizes enforcement of unauthorized flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes that appeal to children
Amid the epidemic levels of youth use of e-cigarettes and the popularity of certain products among children, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday issued a policy prioritizing enforcement against certain unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to kids, including fruit and mint flavors.
Under this policy, companies that do not cease manufacture, distribution and sale of unauthorized...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recap of 2019 health threats and responses (Part 2)
From an outbreak of mysterious lung-injury deaths to America’s near loss of measles elimination status, the beginning of the end of the U.S. HIV epidemic to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), CDC worked around the clock – and around the globe – to protect Americans from domestic and global health threats in 2019.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest health...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recap of 2019 health threats and responses
From an outbreak of mysterious lung-injury deaths to America’s near loss of measles elimination status, the beginning of the end of the U.S. HIV epidemic to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), CDC worked around the clock – and around the globe – to protect Americans from domestic and global health threats in 2019.
Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest health...
Flu cases among Kentuckians being reported at increasing rate; Six deaths already this season
Kentuckians are getting the flu at an increasing rate, and more are dying from it.
In the week ended Dec. 14, there were two deaths, bringing the statewide total for the current flu season to six, according to the state Department for Public Health.
During that week, 814 new cases of the flu were reported. Five of the deaths were people 18 or older and one was under 18. Twelve of the state’s...
Officials warn outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria likely coming from petting pet stores puppies
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Getting a puppy for Christmas? Keep clean and take it to a vet. At least 30 people in 13 states have been sickened by a drug-resistant bacteria that federal health officials say was likely picked up from puppies in pet stores, three of them in Kentucky.
The infection is from a multi-drug-resistant strain of the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni. The outbreak has...
New CDC report indicates rural Americans dying more frequently from preventable causes
By Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
More than 46 million American s live in rural areas, and a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says these residents tend to be older and sicker compared with people living in urban areas.
In Kentucky, the report says excess deaths from preventable causes jumped by more than five percentage points in all counties.
Rural Americans report...
E-cigarette users need to watch for symptoms of lung injury, seek medical care immediately if detected
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
If you use electronic cigarettes, contrary to current warnings, it’s important to watch for symptoms of lung injury, and to immediately seek medical care if you have any of them: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever or abdominal pain.
That was one of the main messages on a Nov. 1 “Lung Injury with Vaping”...
With rates of depression rising in U.S., mental health experts say online screenings are an important tool
More Americans are using online screening tests to gauge whether depression is playing a role in their health, and mental health experts say that’s a good thing.
Just as people might screen for diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure, a depression screening provides a quick way to spot the first signs of what might be a serious mental health issue.
Marcie Timmerman, executive director...
Kentucky Poison Control Center launches new 24/7 hotline to help combat state’s opioid crisis
Kentucky has a new resource to battle the Commonwealth’s opioid epidemic.
The Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital has launched a 24/7 support hotline for health care providers, patients and first responders on opioid-related issues. The Kentucky Opioid Assistance & Resource (OAR) Hotline — (800) 854-6813 — is staffed by toxicology-certified nurses and pharmacists...
Youths using e-cigarettes more likely to try marijuana; connection increased with refillable e-cig pods
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Young people who use electronic cigarettes are more likely to use marijuana, and the odds are even greater for those who start using e-cigarettes early, according to newly published research.
The analysis of 21 separate studies, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that the odds of marijuana use were 3½ times higher among youth who used electronic cigarettes,...
Skin-cancer rates have spiked among young women; experts advise limiting sun exposure, tanning beds
New research shows that skin-cancer rates have surged among young women, likely because they use tanning beds, but health experts warn that exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays puts us all at risk, so it’s important to always take precautions when out in the sun.
The research, presented at the summer meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, found that between 1970...
CDC reports significant annual increase in Crypto cases; many are linked to treated swimming water
Outbreaks of Cryptosporidium (Crypto) in the United States increased an average 13 percent each year from 2009-2017, according to a report published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Photo courtesy of the CDC
Crypto, a parasite, is spread through the feces of infected humans or animals. People can get sick after they swallow the parasite in contaminated water or food or after contact...
Hepatitis outbreak on the decline in Ky; 57 have died across the Commonwealth as result of the disease
The good news about hepatitis in Kentucky is that the number of hepatitis A cases is dropping. The bad news is that there are still as many cases each week as were once seen in a year’s time, and the state is by the far the leader in deaths from the liver disease.
According to the state’s weekly report, the number of hepatitis A cases in Kentucky has dropped to around 20 per week for several...
CDC says ground beef probably caused E.coli outbreak but source unknown; KY has most cases
Kentucky Health News
Investigation of people stricken by the recent outbreak of E. coli “suggests that ground beef is the source of this outbreak,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday. “At this time, no common supplier, distributor, or brand of ground beef has been identified.”
The outbreak, centered in Kentucky, has sickened 109 people and sent 17...
Kentucky accounts for about half the cases in an odd, 5-state outbreak of E. coli; here are precautions
Kentucky has about half of the cases in an outbreak of infections from a strain of E. coli bacteria that has also sickened people in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the source of the 72 infections has not been identified.
The CDC said Kentucky had 36 cases as of Friday, but the day before, the state Department for Public Health...
Older Kentuckians demanding lawmakers intervene to regulate high cost of prescription medications
By Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
AARP members in Kentucky are calling on lawmakers to stop price-gouging by pharmaceutical companies.
New surveys from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and AARP show nearly three-quarters of Americans over age 50 worry about the rising cost of prescription drugs. Of those surveyed, 80% said they regularly take at least one prescription drug – yet...
Department for Public Health reminds Kentuckians that March 24 is World TB Day
As part of its ongoing work to educate the public about tuberculosis (TB) and prevent the spread of the disease, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is reminding Kentuckians that March 24 is World TB Day.
This year’s theme from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is “It’s Time,” in an effort to encourage latent TB testing among providers and raise awareness for...
Widespread flu activity in Kentucky reported for 10th consecutive week; not too late to vaccinate
The Department for Public Health (DPH), within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, reports flu activity in Kentucky is at “widespread” for the 10th consecutive week. Widespread is the highest level of flu activity, indicating increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the state’s regions.
“With the traditional flu season running from October through May, it is...
Rise in teen use of e-cigarettes erases years of progress in curbing teen smoking
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
Teens’ use of electronic cigarettes is overwhelmingly responsible for erasing years of progress in reducing teen tobacco use, according to the latest annual National Youth Tobacco Survey.
The survey found that 4.9 million middle and high school students reported being current users of some type of tobacco product in 2018, a third again as many as the 3.6...
DPH continues to promote Hepatitis A vaccination; statewide outbreak continues, more deaths reported
People who are considered high risk for exposure to the Hepatitis A virus should get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid contracting the virus and lessen the spread of the disease.
High risk groups include individuals who use illicit drugs, close contacts of illicit drug users, and homeless people.
The Department for Public Health (DPH) is making this recommendation as part of its efforts to respond...
