Health News
- Poll Shows Strong Support For Medical Marijuana In Kentucky
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...
- 4 Of 5 Kentuckians Think Child Obesity Is A Problem, And More Than Half Favor A Statewide Smoking Ban, Poll Finds
More than four out of five Kentuckians think too many children are overweight, and more than half want a statewide smoking ban. These are two of key findings of the Kentucky Health Issues Poll, which also asked respondents about prescription drug abuse,...
- Opinions On Health And Safety Issues Differ Among Regions In Ky.
New data show Kentuckians' views on several major health-related issues vary depending on where they live. Those in Eastern Kentucky, the area with the highest poverty rate, are more likely to worry about having the money to pay for nutritious meals....
- Most Kentuckians In Favor Of Banning Cell Phone Use While Driving
Though three of four Kentuckians admit to talking on the phone while driving, just as many would support a law banning cell phone use while operating a vehicle, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. "Although most Kentucky adults use their cell...
- More Kentuckians Had Health Insurance In 2010, Survey Finds
Fewer Kentuckians lacked health insurance in 2010, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. About one in four Kentuckians ages 18 to 64 were uninsured last year, much the same as in 2008. Last year, at the depth of the recession, the uninsured...
Health News
Most Kentuckians want to treat drug offenders, not jail them
Days after a bill was passed that will reduce prison time for the state's low-risk, non-violent drug offenders, the 2010 Kentucky Health Issues Poll shows that seven in 10 Kentuckians favor replacing prison sentences with mandatory drug treatment and probation for people who commit non-violent crimes.
The poll also showed 71 percent of Kentuckians are in favor of doing the same for non-violent offenders who commit crimes under the influence of alcohol.
The results were released today, just days after Gov. Steve Beshear signed House Bill 463, probably the most important piece of legislation passed in the Gereal Assembly's just-ended session. The legislation is, in part, meant to help curb overcrowding in jail and prison populations. Kentucky's prison population has increased by 45 percent since 2000.
About 25 percent of inmates in federal, state and local jails and prison are incarcerated because of drug violations, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse data show. Another 4 percent are incarcerated because of alcohol law violations. These violations include drug/alcohol possession or use; substance trafficking; driving under the influence; drunkenness, vagrancy or disorderly conduct; and liquor law violations.
About 25 percent of inmates in federal, state and local jails and prison are incarcerated because of drug violations, National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse data show. Another 4 percent are incarcerated because of alcohol law violations. These violations include drug/alcohol possession or use; substance trafficking; driving under the influence; drunkenness, vagrancy or disorderly conduct; and liquor law violations.
The poll was conducted Dec. 3-22 and Dec. 27-28 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. It interviewed a random sample of 1,677 adults, 1,469 by landline phones and 208 via cell phones. The poll was funded by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati. In 95 of 100 cases, the estimates are accurate within a 2.4 percent margin of error.
Respondents were asked more than 50 questions that covered a range of health-related topics, including financial stresses related to health care; characteristics of their neighborhood (examples: Is it easy to buy fresh produce or ride a bicycle?); degree of civic engagement, such as donation of blood, work on a community project or attendance at political meeting or rally; using cell phones while driving; health insurance coverage; the new health care law; and smoking policy.
- Poll Shows Strong Support For Medical Marijuana In Kentucky
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...
- 4 Of 5 Kentuckians Think Child Obesity Is A Problem, And More Than Half Favor A Statewide Smoking Ban, Poll Finds
More than four out of five Kentuckians think too many children are overweight, and more than half want a statewide smoking ban. These are two of key findings of the Kentucky Health Issues Poll, which also asked respondents about prescription drug abuse,...
- Opinions On Health And Safety Issues Differ Among Regions In Ky.
New data show Kentuckians' views on several major health-related issues vary depending on where they live. Those in Eastern Kentucky, the area with the highest poverty rate, are more likely to worry about having the money to pay for nutritious meals....
- Most Kentuckians In Favor Of Banning Cell Phone Use While Driving
Though three of four Kentuckians admit to talking on the phone while driving, just as many would support a law banning cell phone use while operating a vehicle, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. "Although most Kentucky adults use their cell...
- More Kentuckians Had Health Insurance In 2010, Survey Finds
Fewer Kentuckians lacked health insurance in 2010, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll has found. About one in four Kentuckians ages 18 to 64 were uninsured last year, much the same as in 2008. Last year, at the depth of the recession, the uninsured...