Health impacts every aspect of a child’s life and is one of the most important components of overall child well-being. In Kentucky, tobacco takes a toll on the health of children, teens, and pregnant women, but viable solutions exist to end tobacco use. Increasing the tobacco tax by at least $1 is a proven method to prevent teens from starting to smoke and prompts pregnant women to quit smoking. Because it supports a healthy [...]

A recent Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP) found that nearly 1 in 2 young adults ages 18 to 29 said they had used an e-cigarette. Currently, 23.4% of Kentucky high school students say they currently use e-cigarettes, which is double the national average. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices used to inhale vaporized; this is often referred to as “vaping”. Manufacturers have specifically targeted youth by creating flavored products, such as cookies ‘n cream and peanut butter cup, to mask the tobacco taste. And research shows that more [...]

By Cortney Downs, Kentucky Youth Advocates intern February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! What started as a one-day event in Cleveland, Ohio in 1941 has evolved into a month-long celebration! This year’s slogan is “Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth for a healthy smile." Did you know that not flossing causes you to miss cleaning 40% of your tooth surfaces? Or that poor dental health can negatively impact children’s [...]

A healthy future for Kentucky requires action to promote healthy decisions among teens. Across the commonwealth, tobacco takes a toll on the health of children, teens, pregnant women and their babies. Seventeen percent of Kentucky high school students currently smoke—the 2nd highest rate in the nation—and it is estimated that 2,900 Kentucky youth will become new daily smokers each year. Unless our youth smoking rates declines, 119,000 of the kids currently living in Kentucky will [...]

Children’s Advocacy Day is an opportunity for youth across Kentucky to connect with legislators, share their stories, and advocate for policy changes that will give them a brighter future. One way that young people are seen and heard during Children’s Advocacy Day is in the tunnel that connects the Capitol Building to the Legislative Annex; each year advocates hang posters in the tunnel featuring art and quotes from Kentucky kids. This year, in partnership with [...]