Health
Publications | Press Releases | Resources
Every child needs a healthy beginning to life, which will set the stage for a healthy lifestyle as an adult. KYA addresses a wide range of child health issues to work towards improved health outcomes for children. We conduct quantitative and qualitative research on various aspects of child health policy. We partner with other national, state, and community advocates, healthcare professionals and community leaders to ensure that our children’s health needs are met and families are supported.
Recent Work
Children's Health Coverage
According to estimates, 93,000 children in Kentucky do not have health insurance, and two-thirds of uninsured children are eligible for coverage under Medicaid or the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), yet remained unenrolled.
In 2006, Kentucky’s Medicaid and KCHIP programs underwent a significant transformation as the result of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). For detailed information, read our 2008 report, In the Dark: Families Share their Experiences with KyHealth Choices and our 2008 issue brief, KyHealth Choices and Children.
Reducing barriers to enrollment was an agenda item on the 2008 Blueprint for Kentucky's Children. As a result of partner efforts, Governor Beshear took steps to simplify the enrollment process and increase outreach to eligible families. Since the implementation of his plan, thousands more eligible children are enrolled in KCHIP and Medicaid. We are now working to further reduce barriers by eliminating premiums altogether.
Health Reform
In March 2010, the U.S. Congress took an historic step in support of America’s children and families by passing The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The legislation bolsters Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, covers the uninsured, provides tax credits, and addresses insurer discrimination against preexisting conditions for children.
While the components in the bill will impact thousands of Kentucky families, many of the changes will not be immediate. A number of the legislation's provisions will have to be enforced at the state level. KYA will be working with community leaders and other child advocates to ensure that Kentucky's children and families are getting access to health coverage.
Safe Routes to School Kentucky State Network
KYA organizes the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Kentucky State Network which is connected to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership (SRTSNP). This partnership includes more than 500 nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working together to advance the SRTS movement in the United States. Learn more about Safe Routes to School.
Schools as Agents of Wellness
Because children spend so much of their time in school, it is important for schools to focus on children's health. Children should have access to a healthy school environment that includes: healthy food, physical activity, and access to health coverage.
KYA advocates for policies and practices that allow all students to learn and work in a healthy school environment. We are currently working on non-cognitive health indicators for school accountability purposes.
Childhood Obesity
Kentucky currently ranks fourth nationally for child overweight and obesity rates. Kentucky is also the fourth most inactive state, with high percentages of time spent watching TV or playing video games, among children. KYA supports policies that address the many factors related to childhood obesity including physical activity, healthy food, screen time, limiting sugar intake, and community planning that is built to encourage healthy living.
We work with partners across the state to raise awareness of programs and policies that promote child wellness and reduce obesity.
Most recently, the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky, produced “Shaping Kentucky’s Future: Policies to Reduce Obesity.” This report provides many positive recommendations to encourage healthier lifestyles among children and adults and to promote wellness.
Language Access Services
A basic requirement of high quality health care is the ability for health care professionals and their patients to be able to understand and communicate with each other.
In 2009, KYA released a report highlighting the fact that despite federal law which requires health care providers to offer language access services to individuals who are learning English, many providers fall short. Read Language Access Services Translate to High Quality Health Care, the Executive Summary, and the Executive Summary in Spanish.
Dental Health
All children need good oral health to grow and thrive, yet too many children in Kentucky do not get the dental care they need.
In 2005, we released a report in which parents cited multiple barriers in accessing dental care for their children. Read the report, Kentucky's Cavity: Parents Voice Concerns about Children's Dental Care in their Communities, and the Executive Summary. In 2006, Kentucky released a statewide oral health strategic plan, Healthy Kentucky Smiles: a Lifetime of Oral Health.
Learn More