Health
Louisville researcher will study how to treat, prevent eating disorders
A Louisville researcher will use $11.5 million in grant money from the National Institutes of Health to study how to treat and prevent eating disorders, the University of Louisville announced Wednesday. Leading several projects over the next five years on the subject is Cheri Levinson, who is both an associate professor with the university and […]
Health-care worker shortage hitting Kentucky ‘especially hard,’ says hospital association exec
The Kentucky Hospital Association’s annual Workforce Survey Report says Kentucky suffers from an “acute shortage” of health care workers, with nearly 13,000 job vacancies in hospitals across the state at the end of 2022. “While the shortage of health-care workers is nationwide, it has hit the commonwealth especially hard, and KHA is working with multiple partners to […]
Pitched as ‘opioid alternative,’ laser robot treats pain without pills
LOUISVILLE — Stefanie Nasca’s car is her office, and she drives it at least six hours a day across Kentucky and Indiana for her lab sales job. So, when the Louisville woman suffered back pain, she couldn’t take a break from the extensive driving and sitting. “I would go to stand up and I’d be […]
Rosalynn Carter acclaimed by admirers for her pioneering advocacy for mental health, caregiving
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter has died, according to the Carter Center, leaving a rich legacy of championing mental health and women’s rights. She will be buried at the ranch house in Plains she and former President Jimmy Carter built in 1961. She died Sunday just days after the family announced she had entered hospice […]
Evolving overdose crisis shakes previously effective treatments
BURLINGTON, Vt. — “You can’t inject a horse tranquilizer and think nothing bad is going to happen” to you, said Ty Sears, 33, a longtime drug user now in recovery. Sears was referring to xylazine, a sedative used for animal surgeries that has infiltrated the illicit drug supply across the country, contributing to a steady […]
Qualifying UK medical students in rural provider program to get scholarships
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid in Kentucky are giving medical students on a path to serve rural areas seven scholarships worth $100,000 in total. Fourth year students in UK’s Rural Physician Leadership Program will benefit from this money, UK said. They need to demonstrate financial […]
How are Kentucky’s kids faring? New report offers education, health insights
Fewer Kentucky kindergarteners were ready to learn in the 2022-2023 school year than in 2018, according to a new report that measures child welfare. This insight comes from the Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, released by Kentucky Youth Advocates Wednesday. Kids Count is part of a national initiative from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. […]
A new day in abortion politics, even in deep red Kentucky?
Standing before cheering supporters on election night, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, wrapped up his reelection celebration with a round of thanks. “First to my parents,” he said, embracing Jane and Steve Beshear — his father himself a former, two-term governor. Andy Beshear, who defeated his Republican opponent, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with about […]
Flu is rising in Louisville
Kentucky’s largest city is seeing a “significant” rise in flu’s presence ahead of normal peak, Louisville scientists said Thursday. The Envirome Institute, which operates through the University of Louisville, tracks wastewater in the city and reports trends in infectious diseases. The wastewater dashboard shows the presence of flu, which usually peaks in December and January, […]
Most Americans want health exceptions in abortion bans. Political infighting keeps blocking them.
In early October, an Idaho woman 20 weeks into her pregnancy went to the emergency room after her water broke about five months early. When the water breaks prematurely, an infection can develop and infect the fetus, placenta and other fluids. At that stage of pregnancy, the threat of infection becomes a ticking clock for […]
Infant mortality fell in Kentucky in 2022 while increasing nationally
For the first time in 20 years, the rate of infant mortality in the U.S. showed a statistically significant increase in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national baby-death rate rose 3% from 2021, but in Kentucky it dropped 6%. The rate measures the percentage of babies […]
Lantern reporter Sarah Ladd recognized by Kentucky Psychological Association for ‘Breaking the Stigma’ series
The Kentucky Psychological Association has recognized Lantern reporter Sarah Ladd with its 2023 Mental Health in Media Award. At a Friday awards ceremony in Lexington, the organization’s president Patti Weiter singled out the Lantern’s “Breaking the Stigma” series as an “impressive work of public service journalism.” Ladd created the series in 2022 with the goal […]