Health News
- Lots Of Research Has Established That Children With Egg Allergies Can Still Get A Flu Shot; Those With Asthma Especially Should
Flu season can start as early as October, and children with egg allergies are now encouraged to get a flu shot, especially if they have asthma, according to a news release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Children...
- Prevention And Preparation Is The Key To A Productive Year At School For Kids With Asthma (and That's 1 In 10 Students)
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As the beginning of a new school year approaches, parents of children with asthma and allergies need to make sure that not only does their child recognize what triggers their symptoms and how to treat a flare-up,...
- Study In Ky., 3 Other States Indicates Exposure To Secondhand Smoke In Vehicles Can Cause Asthma Attacks In Non-smokers
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...
- New Treatment First Offered In Louisville Is Helping Asthma Sufferers
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...
- More County-specific Health Data Are Available, Painting Detailed Pictures Of Your Local Area's Health
Five years' worth of county-specific data are now available for many types of health indicators on the Kentucky Health Facts website. The site features data on demographics, social and behavioral indicators, health outcomes, access to care, and maternal...
Health News
This is Asthma Awareness Month, more important in Kentucky than in most states; we have one of the nation's highest rates
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.
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.
- Lots Of Research Has Established That Children With Egg Allergies Can Still Get A Flu Shot; Those With Asthma Especially Should
Flu season can start as early as October, and children with egg allergies are now encouraged to get a flu shot, especially if they have asthma, according to a news release from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Children...
- Prevention And Preparation Is The Key To A Productive Year At School For Kids With Asthma (and That's 1 In 10 Students)
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As the beginning of a new school year approaches, parents of children with asthma and allergies need to make sure that not only does their child recognize what triggers their symptoms and how to treat a flare-up,...
- Study In Ky., 3 Other States Indicates Exposure To Secondhand Smoke In Vehicles Can Cause Asthma Attacks In Non-smokers
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...
- New Treatment First Offered In Louisville Is Helping Asthma Sufferers
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...
- More County-specific Health Data Are Available, Painting Detailed Pictures Of Your Local Area's Health
Five years' worth of county-specific data are now available for many types of health indicators on the Kentucky Health Facts website. The site features data on demographics, social and behavioral indicators, health outcomes, access to care, and maternal...