In addition to the 2012 Summer Olympics, the world has another reason to celebrate this week – World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). Breastfeeding provides the best and most natural nutrition for infants and is associated with many positive outcomes for both baby and mother. In fact, breastfed babies have fewer ear and respiratory infections, are at less risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and score higher on cognitive development tests than non-breastfed babies. Women who [...]

This week, you can join the Smoke-Free Kentucky Coalition on their tour across the state! They will be speaking to the media, Smoke-Free Kentucky supporters, and reaching out to legislators urging them to join 23 other states in passing a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free law that covers all indoor workplaces, including bars and restaurants. We know that Kentuckians, businesses and organizations across the state support a Smoke-Free Kentucky. Now, we need you to show your support [...]

Kentuckians of all ages need improved oral health to live healthy and optimal lives. Tackling the problem of poor oral health in Kentucky will take people from multiple disciplines working together and we need you to help. The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition is working collaboratively to improve oral health across the Commonwealth. All members and others who are interested are invited to attend the upcoming meeting. What: Kentucky Oral Health Coalition members meeting When: July [...]

Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a major win for Kentucky kids. While partisan toxicity and legitimate debate around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will continue, let’s be clear – because the ACA will advance the well-being and health of Kentucky’s children, it will also advance the Commonwealth’s shared prosperity today and tomorrow. The ACA carries provisions around preventive care and oral health that can have a major impact on tackling some issues that have long-plagued Kentucky’s [...]

Updated data on asthma hospitalizations for children in Kentucky has been posted to the KIDS COUNT Data Center. This chronic illness, which is the most common among children in the United States, not only negatively impacts a child’s physical, but emotional and psychological development as well. The number of child inpatient hospitalizations due to asthma has declined in Kentucky from 7,087 in 2000-2002 to 6,837 in 2009-2011. During those same timeframes, the rate has decreased [...]

The numbers of children enrolled in Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) are on the rise, we learned in yesterday’s post. This data helps us understand how many children live in families who do not earn enough income to afford health insurance. The Medicaid program and KCHIP provide health insurance and access to health care for children in low-income households, in order to strengthen their health and future. One thing those numbers [...]

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have been instrumental in reducing the number of uninsured children over the last decade, despite a decline in employer-sponsored insurance and two recessions. Statewide from 2000 to 2010, the average monthly number of children enrolled in Medicaid grew by 52 percent (over 136,000 children) and for the Kentucky CHIP (KCHIP) by 45 percent (over 20,000 children). During that same time period, 87.5 percent of Kentucky counties experienced [...]