Don't get burned, bitten or bamboozled this summer; here are safety tips for dealing with the sun, insects and sales pitches

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Summer is finally here, and after one of the coldest Kentucky springs, who doesn't want to be outside swimming, skiing, fishing, barbecuing or soaking up rays on the beach? While summer may bring much-anticipated fun in the sun, it's important to take some  safety precautions to make sure you and your family are not getting too much of a good thing.

Sunscreen can protect you from cancer, but don't spray it

The sun is bad for your skin, and exposure to its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's critical to protect yourself and your children from sun damage because just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the odds of developing skin cancer later in life, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fortunately, it’s never too late or too early to lessen your risk of sun damage by using sunscreen, and the Environmental Working Group has recently released its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, which rates more than 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms, and SPF moisturizers and cosmetics for safety and effectiveness.

This year, EWG says 184 sunscreens, 25 percent of those on the market, met its criteria of offering adequate UV protection and posing few safety concerns. You can click here to view that product list, or here to check out the EWG findings for moisturizers, lip balm and makeup.

EWG also created a somewhat surprising list of things NOT to bring on vacation because they are unsafe or do not provide adequate UV protection:

• Spray sunscreen: These sprays may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to not apply enough sunscreen or to miss a spot.
• High-SPF sunscreens: These products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, which can increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage, and EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled higher than SPF 50.
• Oxybenzone: Used in half of sunscreen products, this chemical penetrates the skin and can adversely impact health in several ways; in the body, it acts like the female hormone estrogen and can cause allregic reactions.
• Loose powder sunscreen: Tiny zinc particles in these products can also end up in your lungs when you breathe them in during application, which irritates the lungs.
• Retinyl palmitate: Some sunscreens contain this chemical, which is a form of vitamin A, but when applied to sun-exposed skin, it may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Combined sunscreen/bug repellents: Studies show this combination leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
• Sunscreen towelettes: Whether they really work is unknown.
• Tanning oils: They are simply a bad idea and can ultimately lead to behavior that increases risk of developing skin cancer.

So, check the ingredients for your sunscreen, avoid high-SPF's or sprays and make it a habit to wear sunscreen during sports or whenever you're outside. Be sure to reapply often to ensure UV protection, particularly if you get wet or sweaty. Click here to read EWG's "Nine Surprising Facts about Sunscreen."

Hats and clothing: Choose the right kind

Children are more vulnerable to sun damage, so in addition to actual sunscreen, the best sun protections for them are a hat and shirt (which also protect adults). The CDC recommends avoiding straw hats that let sun through the holes, and to wear a hat with UV protection or a wide brim to shield the face, head, ear and neck. If you do chose to wear a baseball cap, protect your ears and neck with clothing, sunscreen (with at least SPF 15) or spend lots of time in shade.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. The CDC says loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best UV protection. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors, and a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection that a dry one.

Sunburn treatment: People with fair skin or light-colored hair are more likely to be sunburned. If you get sunburned, remember that "The skin heals but is forever damaged," writes University of Kentucky nursing Professor Mollie Aheshire. "The more frequent and more severe the burns, the more damage there is," along with risk for cancer and premature aging. "If a sunburn is blistering and covers a large portion of your body; is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, confusion, nausea or chills; or does not respond to at-home treatment within a few days . . . see a health-care provider." Mild sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses and moisturizing creams — aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. "If blisters form, do not break them," Aheshire writes. "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treat peeling skin gently. Stay out of the sun until redness and pain resolve." (Read more)

Sunglasses: Not just to help you see now, but to keep you seeing longer

Besides being dangerous for your skin, UV rays are dangerous to your eyes and can cause vision disorders, premature aging of the eyes or even blindness. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun damage, although a new survey from the American Optometric Association shows that only 40 percent of consumers cite this protection as the primary reason for wearing sunglasses, says a Kentucky Optometric Association press release.

To help reduce the risks of harmful UV exposure on the eyes, children and adults should start wearing protective sunglasses as as early as possible, and parents should ensure that babies are protected by sunglasses too, says the release. When choosing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, make sure that they block more than 95 percent of UV-A and more than 99 percent of UV-B radiation, says the KOA, and sunglasses should have a frame that fits close to the eyes so the UV rays can't sneak around the sides.

Insect repellent: Bugs can bug you, but don't over-react to them

Although nothing can ruin a relaxing summer picnic faster than bugs, take precautions to ensure you're using the right type of bug repellent-- one that's been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency -- and that you're using it wisely.

Not only are bugs annoying, they can also carry dangerous diseases, and for the safe and effective use bug repellents, always read the product label before using the product, EPA says. It says to follow these bug-repellent safety tips:

• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use them under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and be use sparingly around the ears.
• When using sprays, spray on the hands first and then apply to the face, not directly to the face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas and avoid spraying near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas. 
• Click here to search for a repellent that's right for you.

Beware if you want to use a wearable repellent that's not sticky and has to be continuously resprayed, such as Off!'s clip-on mosquito repellent. It works once the cloud of mosquito protection is built around the wearer, says Brighid Moret of The Washington Times, but it's not a good option for an active or young child. The manufacturer warns on the label that a chemical on the product's enclosed disk is harmful if swallowed, directly inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and young children should not wear it.

Whether you're going on vacation or a "stay-cation," these tips can help protect you and your family from the sun and bugs in order to safely make the most of your summer. Click here for more sun safety tips from EWG.

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Summer is finally here, and after one of the coldest Kentucky springs, who doesn't want to be outside swimming, skiing, fishing, barbecuing or soaking up rays on the beach? While summer may bring much-anticipated fun in the sun, it's important to take some  safety precautions to make sure you and your family are not getting too much of a good thing.

Sunscreen can protect you from cancer, but don't spray it

The sun is bad for your skin, and exposure to its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U.S., says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's critical to protect yourself and your children from sun damage because just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the odds of developing skin cancer later in life, says the Mayo Clinic.

Fortunately, it’s never too late or too early to lessen your risk of sun damage by using sunscreen, and the Environmental Working Group has recently released its 2013 Guide to Sunscreens, which rates more than 1,400 sunscreens, lip balms, and SPF moisturizers and cosmetics for safety and effectiveness.

This year, EWG says 184 sunscreens, 25 percent of those on the market, met its criteria of offering adequate UV protection and posing few safety concerns. You can click here to view that product list, or here to check out the EWG findings for moisturizers, lip balm and makeup.

EWG also created a somewhat surprising list of things NOT to bring on vacation because they are unsafe or do not provide adequate UV protection:

• Spray sunscreen: These sprays may pose serious inhalation risks, and they make it too easy to not apply enough sunscreen or to miss a spot.
• High-SPF sunscreens: These products may tempt people to stay in the sun too long, which can increase the risk of other kinds of skin damage, and EWG recommends that consumers avoid products labeled higher than SPF 50.
• Oxybenzone: Used in half of sunscreen products, this chemical penetrates the skin and can adversely impact health in several ways; in the body, it acts like the female hormone estrogen and can cause allregic reactions.
• Loose powder sunscreen: Tiny zinc particles in these products can also end up in your lungs when you breathe them in during application, which irritates the lungs.
• Retinyl palmitate: Some sunscreens contain this chemical, which is a form of vitamin A, but when applied to sun-exposed skin, it may speed development of skin tumors and lesions.
• Combined sunscreen/bug repellents: Studies show this combination leads to increased skin absorption of the repellent ingredients.
• Sunscreen towelettes: Whether they really work is unknown.
• Tanning oils: They are simply a bad idea and can ultimately lead to behavior that increases risk of developing skin cancer.

So, check the ingredients for your sunscreen, avoid high-SPF's or sprays and make it a habit to wear sunscreen during sports or whenever you're outside. Be sure to reapply often to ensure UV protection, particularly if you get wet or sweaty. Click here to read EWG's "Nine Surprising Facts about Sunscreen."

Hats and clothing: Choose the right kind

Children are more vulnerable to sun damage, so in addition to actual sunscreen, the best sun protections for them are a hat and shirt (which also protect adults). The CDC recommends avoiding straw hats that let sun through the holes, and to wear a hat with UV protection or a wide brim to shield the face, head, ear and neck. If you do chose to wear a baseball cap, protect your ears and neck with clothing, sunscreen (with at least SPF 15) or spend lots of time in shade.

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. The CDC says loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best UV protection. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors, and a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection that a dry one.

Sunburn treatment: People with fair skin or light-colored hair are more likely to be sunburned. If you get sunburned, remember that "The skin heals but is forever damaged," writes University of Kentucky nursing Professor Mollie Aheshire. "The more frequent and more severe the burns, the more damage there is," along with risk for cancer and premature aging. "If a sunburn is blistering and covers a large portion of your body; is accompanied by a high fever, extreme pain, confusion, nausea or chills; or does not respond to at-home treatment within a few days . . . see a health-care provider." Mild sunburns can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, cold compresses and moisturizing creams — aloe vera or hydrocortisone lotions. "If blisters form, do not break them," Aheshire writes. "Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treat peeling skin gently. Stay out of the sun until redness and pain resolve." (Read more)

Sunglasses: Not just to help you see now, but to keep you seeing longer

Besides being dangerous for your skin, UV rays are dangerous to your eyes and can cause vision disorders, premature aging of the eyes or even blindness. It is important to wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sun damage, although a new survey from the American Optometric Association shows that only 40 percent of consumers cite this protection as the primary reason for wearing sunglasses, says a Kentucky Optometric Association press release.

To help reduce the risks of harmful UV exposure on the eyes, children and adults should start wearing protective sunglasses as as early as possible, and parents should ensure that babies are protected by sunglasses too, says the release. When choosing sunglasses or protective contact lenses, make sure that they block more than 95 percent of UV-A and more than 99 percent of UV-B radiation, says the KOA, and sunglasses should have a frame that fits close to the eyes so the UV rays can't sneak around the sides.

Insect repellent: Bugs can bug you, but don't over-react to them

Although nothing can ruin a relaxing summer picnic faster than bugs, take precautions to ensure you're using the right type of bug repellent-- one that's been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency -- and that you're using it wisely.

Not only are bugs annoying, they can also carry dangerous diseases, and for the safe and effective use bug repellents, always read the product label before using the product, EPA says. It says to follow these bug-repellent safety tips:

• Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use them under clothing.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and be use sparingly around the ears.
• When using sprays, spray on the hands first and then apply to the face, not directly to the face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas and avoid spraying near food.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals
• Most insect repellents do not work on lice or fleas. 
• Click here to search for a repellent that's right for you.

Beware if you want to use a wearable repellent that's not sticky and has to be continuously resprayed, such as Off!'s clip-on mosquito repellent. It works once the cloud of mosquito protection is built around the wearer, says Brighid Moret of The Washington Times, but it's not a good option for an active or young child. The manufacturer warns on the label that a chemical on the product's enclosed disk is harmful if swallowed, directly inhaled or absorbed through the skin, and young children should not wear it.

Whether you're going on vacation or a "stay-cation," these tips can help protect you and your family from the sun and bugs in order to safely make the most of your summer. Click here for more sun safety tips from EWG.

Read More

At least one in eight teens, and perhaps one in five, have a mental-health issue; ADHD tops, substance abuse also high

The most comprehensive report yet on mental disorders in children shows attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed problem in those aged 3-17, and the most common health issues for teenagers include addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

An estimated 13 to 20 percent of U.S. children experience a mental disorder in a given year, says a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and children are increasingly suffering from and being hospitalized for mood disorders like depression; that hospitalization rate has increased 80 percent from 1997 to 2010, says the report. And, while 3.5 percent of children under 18 have behavioral problems, almost 7 percent of them are diagnosed with ADHD.

About 4.7 percent of teens, or 1.7 million children aged 12–17, have disorders involving abuse and dependence upon alcohol, drugs or tobacco, says the report. Alarmingly, two-thirds of teenagers had an illicit drug use disorder, one million teenagers abused drugs or alcohol, and more than 695,000 were addicted to tobacco.

“This first report of its kind documents that millions of children are living with depression, substance use disorders, ADHD and other mental health conditions,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said. “No parent, grandparent, teacher or friend wants to see a child struggle with these issues. It concerns us all. We are working to both increase our understanding of these disorders and help scale up programs and strategies to prevent mental illness so that our children grow to lead productive, healthy lives.”

The most comprehensive report yet on mental disorders in children shows attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed problem in those aged 3-17, and the most common health issues for teenagers include addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

An estimated 13 to 20 percent of U.S. children experience a mental disorder in a given year, says a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and children are increasingly suffering from and being hospitalized for mood disorders like depression; that hospitalization rate has increased 80 percent from 1997 to 2010, says the report. And, while 3.5 percent of children under 18 have behavioral problems, almost 7 percent of them are diagnosed with ADHD.

About 4.7 percent of teens, or 1.7 million children aged 12–17, have disorders involving abuse and dependence upon alcohol, drugs or tobacco, says the report. Alarmingly, two-thirds of teenagers had an illicit drug use disorder, one million teenagers abused drugs or alcohol, and more than 695,000 were addicted to tobacco.

“This first report of its kind documents that millions of children are living with depression, substance use disorders, ADHD and other mental health conditions,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said. “No parent, grandparent, teacher or friend wants to see a child struggle with these issues. It concerns us all. We are working to both increase our understanding of these disorders and help scale up programs and strategies to prevent mental illness so that our children grow to lead productive, healthy lives.”

Read More

W. Va. plans private-public model to provide school breakfast, improve child health, fight obesity; could this approach help Ky.?

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Breakfast has been said to be the most important meal of the day, and it can be important in fighting obesity. Policymakers in West Virginia are pushing for breakfast food programs in schools through public-private partnerships, and a new report says similar programs could save $41 billion in federal dollars long-term by preventing obesity. Does this make sense, and does it make sense for Kentucky?

Like West Virginia, Kentucky has a high obesity rate among middle and high school students but has many children who don't always get the food they need to live a healthy life. Kentucky ranks fourth highest in food insecurity among children because 23 percent of Kentucky's children do not always know where they will find their next meal, according to Feeding America’s "Map the Meal Gap" study. (Here's a link to its interactive map, where you can see food insecurity rates by county in order to find out more about your county. One example appears below; orange dots are headquarters of regional food banks.)

A recent bill passed by West Virginia lawmakers addresses the problems of food insecurity, obesity and education simultaneously and serves as the first example for a statewide public-private funding partnership to improve school meals programs, reports David Gutman of The Associated Press. The bill would also require every county to set up a fund to collect private food donations.

The bill aims to require every school to have breakfast food programs so no student goes without it because of costs, says Gutman. Poor nutrition and diet are sometimes issues of cost and income level since healthy foods can be more expensive than unhealthy ones. For example, a bag of 10 apples may costs $4.99, but a package of Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies could be $1.79. A medium-sized apple has 93 calories and less than 1 gram of fat while an oatmeal creme pie has 318 calories and 13 grams of fat.

What does this have to do with obesity? The research-based logic is that a healthy, daily breakfast improves diet and can replace sugary alternatives such as donuts. Eating a healthy breakfast also improves education by combating hunger and aiding concentration and has been found to be associated with overall health and mental functioning. Overall, these factors may work together to improve education and diet, reports Gutman.

Such a program could help Kentucky address the state's problems related to food insecurity, obesity and education, while generating long-term savings. Similar food programs that provide meals to low-income children could generate as much as $41 billion in long-term federal saving by preventing obesity, says a new report from the Campaign to End Obesity.

The report says that the S-CHIP childhood obesity demonstration project, which combines changes in preventive care with community and school efforts to reduce childhood obesity in low-income communities, could prevent a child from becoming obese, saving an estimated $41,500 for an average female and $30,600 for an average male Medicaid beneficiary, says the report.

Three other programs were highlighted as huge cost-savers because they would prevent obesity and related chronic conditions in the long run, which would reduce health care costs and increase wages, says the report. These include increasing obesity screenings by physicians, bringing the Diabetes Prevention Program to scale and covering certain weight loss drugs under Medicare Part D. Preventive health policies aimed at obesity prevention could significantly reduce government expenditures, could save tax dollars and could improve the overall health of Kentuckians.

Kentucky Health News is an independent news service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

By Molly Burchett
Kentucky Health News

Breakfast has been said to be the most important meal of the day, and it can be important in fighting obesity. Policymakers in West Virginia are pushing for breakfast food programs in schools through public-private partnerships, and a new report says similar programs could save $41 billion in federal dollars long-term by preventing obesity. Does this make sense, and does it make sense for Kentucky?

Like West Virginia, Kentucky has a high obesity rate among middle and high school students but has many children who don't always get the food they need to live a healthy life. Kentucky ranks fourth highest in food insecurity among children because 23 percent of Kentucky's children do not always know where they will find their next meal, according to Feeding America’s "Map the Meal Gap" study. (Here's a link to its interactive map, where you can see food insecurity rates by county in order to find out more about your county. One example appears below; orange dots are headquarters of regional food banks.)

A recent bill passed by West Virginia lawmakers addresses the problems of food insecurity, obesity and education simultaneously and serves as the first example for a statewide public-private funding partnership to improve school meals programs, reports David Gutman of The Associated Press. The bill would also require every county to set up a fund to collect private food donations.

The bill aims to require every school to have breakfast food programs so no student goes without it because of costs, says Gutman. Poor nutrition and diet are sometimes issues of cost and income level since healthy foods can be more expensive than unhealthy ones. For example, a bag of 10 apples may costs $4.99, but a package of Little Debbie oatmeal creme pies could be $1.79. A medium-sized apple has 93 calories and less than 1 gram of fat while an oatmeal creme pie has 318 calories and 13 grams of fat.

What does this have to do with obesity? The research-based logic is that a healthy, daily breakfast improves diet and can replace sugary alternatives such as donuts. Eating a healthy breakfast also improves education by combating hunger and aiding concentration and has been found to be associated with overall health and mental functioning. Overall, these factors may work together to improve education and diet, reports Gutman.

Such a program could help Kentucky address the state's problems related to food insecurity, obesity and education, while generating long-term savings. Similar food programs that provide meals to low-income children could generate as much as $41 billion in long-term federal saving by preventing obesity, says a new report from the Campaign to End Obesity.

The report says that the S-CHIP childhood obesity demonstration project, which combines changes in preventive care with community and school efforts to reduce childhood obesity in low-income communities, could prevent a child from becoming obese, saving an estimated $41,500 for an average female and $30,600 for an average male Medicaid beneficiary, says the report.

Three other programs were highlighted as huge cost-savers because they would prevent obesity and related chronic conditions in the long run, which would reduce health care costs and increase wages, says the report. These include increasing obesity screenings by physicians, bringing the Diabetes Prevention Program to scale and covering certain weight loss drugs under Medicare Part D. Preventive health policies aimed at obesity prevention could significantly reduce government expenditures, could save tax dollars and could improve the overall health of Kentuckians.

Kentucky Health News is an independent news service of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues at the University of Kentucky, with support from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

Read More

To keep kids from getting fat, use smaller plates and portions, limit TV viewing and make sure they get 10 hours of sleep a night

Kentucky ranks high in child obesity. Parents can make sure their children maintain a healthy weight with three simple suggestions highlighted in recent studies: Serve them meals on smaller, child-size plates, pay attention to what they watch on TV, and make sure they get enough sleep.

In Kentucky, almost 18 percent of middle-school-age children and 16 percent of elementary-age kids are obese, and every third child born who was in the U.S. in 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes if current trends continue, says a recent report from the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health.

The three suggestions are based on three new studies in the April issue of Pediatrics.

One study found first-graders served themselves larger food portions and consumed almost 50 percent of the extra calories they put on their plates when using adult-sized dinner plates instead of child-sized salad plates, reports Michelle Healy of USA Today.
A second study examined the relationship between heavy use of media  and increased body mass index,  a measure based on height and weight that can classify someone as being overweight or obese. It found that TV usage is the most problematic and leads to higher BMI scores, reports Healy. One reason for this may be that TV advertising includes commercials for unhealthy snack foods. Or, perhaps kids are missing out on exercise because they watch so much TV. 

A new sleep study adds to research saying that insufficient sleep may contribute to the rise in adolescent obesity because it changes hormone levels that could lead to overeating and weight gain, reports Healy.

These findings support existing recommendations to help children attain and keep a healthy weight according the UK report. Portion sizes should be a third of adult portions for younger children and two-thirds of adult portions for older children; children's TV screen time should be limited to two hours per day; and children should get 10 hours of sleep each night.

Kentucky ranks high in child obesity. Parents can make sure their children maintain a healthy weight with three simple suggestions highlighted in recent studies: Serve them meals on smaller, child-size plates, pay attention to what they watch on TV, and make sure they get enough sleep.

In Kentucky, almost 18 percent of middle-school-age children and 16 percent of elementary-age kids are obese, and every third child born who was in the U.S. in 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes if current trends continue, says a recent report from the University of Kentucky's College of Public Health.

The three suggestions are based on three new studies in the April issue of Pediatrics.

One study found first-graders served themselves larger food portions and consumed almost 50 percent of the extra calories they put on their plates when using adult-sized dinner plates instead of child-sized salad plates, reports Michelle Healy of USA Today.
A second study examined the relationship between heavy use of media  and increased body mass index,  a measure based on height and weight that can classify someone as being overweight or obese. It found that TV usage is the most problematic and leads to higher BMI scores, reports Healy. One reason for this may be that TV advertising includes commercials for unhealthy snack foods. Or, perhaps kids are missing out on exercise because they watch so much TV. 

A new sleep study adds to research saying that insufficient sleep may contribute to the rise in adolescent obesity because it changes hormone levels that could lead to overeating and weight gain, reports Healy.

These findings support existing recommendations to help children attain and keep a healthy weight according the UK report. Portion sizes should be a third of adult portions for younger children and two-thirds of adult portions for older children; children's TV screen time should be limited to two hours per day; and children should get 10 hours of sleep each night.

Read More

It's Autism Awareness Month; do you know the warning signs?

The University of Kentucky hosted the state's first Light It Up Blue event by illuminating Memorial Hall with blue lights on April 2nd, and this event is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism.

This is the sixth year for Light It Up Blue, but the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970's in order to highlight the need for awareness about autism. Autism is increasing in prevalence, and according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 50 school-age children in the United States has autism; that number increased from 1 in 88 in 2012.

Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently. Typically, autism appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, says the CDC. While there is no known single cause of autism, it is treatable, and studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes for families.

With individualized interventions, says the CDC, parents can minimize challenges their child faces. From birth to 5 years, children should reach certain milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks and acts, and delays in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor as soon as possible children display some of the warning signs below.

From the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign

Kentucky is one of 12 states with existing autism care insurance requirements, meaning that private insurance must cover autism treatment. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for autism in Kentucky that can generally be divided into four categories: behavioral and communication approaches, dietary approaches, medication and alternative medicine approaches. Click here for a full list of treatment resources or here for more Autism signs and symptoms.

In addition to when a parent is concerned, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months. While autism spectrum disorders occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, they are almost five times more common among boys than girls, says the CDC.

In order to make sure your child reaches his or her full potential, it is very important to get help as soon as possible if your child shows concerning symptoms, according to the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign.

The University of Kentucky hosted the state's first Light It Up Blue event by illuminating Memorial Hall with blue lights on April 2nd, and this event is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism.

This is the sixth year for Light It Up Blue, but the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970's in order to highlight the need for awareness about autism. Autism is increasing in prevalence, and according to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 50 school-age children in the United States has autism; that number increased from 1 in 88 in 2012.

Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently. Typically, autism appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others, says the CDC. While there is no known single cause of autism, it is treatable, and studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes for families.

With individualized interventions, says the CDC, parents can minimize challenges their child faces. From birth to 5 years, children should reach certain milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks and acts, and delays in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor as soon as possible children display some of the warning signs below.

From the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign

Kentucky is one of 12 states with existing autism care insurance requirements, meaning that private insurance must cover autism treatment. Fortunately, there are many treatment options for autism in Kentucky that can generally be divided into four categories: behavioral and communication approaches, dietary approaches, medication and alternative medicine approaches. Click here for a full list of treatment resources or here for more Autism signs and symptoms.

In addition to when a parent is concerned, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months. While autism spectrum disorders occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, they are almost five times more common among boys than girls, says the CDC.

In order to make sure your child reaches his or her full potential, it is very important to get help as soon as possible if your child shows concerning symptoms, according to the CDC's Learn the Signs, Act Early campaign.

Read More

Attorney general says UK should hand over records on children's heart surgeries, which have been suspended pending review

Attorney General Jack Conway has ruled that the University of Kentucky hospital violated the state Open Records Act by refusing to give a reporter for the university-owned radio station records relating to the work of the chief of cardiothoracic surgery, who has stopped doing surgery on children. UK refused to let Conway's staff examine the records to evaluate UK's claimed need for confidentiality.

After inquiries by Brenna Angel of WUKY, "UK announced that the hospital had stopped performing pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries pending an internal review," John Cheves writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Angel reports that she sought records on Dr. Mark Plunkett, left, who was also director of the pediatric and congenital heart program: "the date of Plunkett’s last surgery, the mortality rate of pediatric heart surgery cases, and documentation related to the program’s review." She sought no patient-specific information.

UK denied her request, citing the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and arguing that release of the information could lead to the identification of one or more patients because Plunkett was doing so few surgeries on children. It also cited HIPAA in refusing to let Conway's staff review the records. Conway rejected that argument, noting that HIPAA does not supersede state laws and even make allowances for them.

Because it deals with the Open Records Act, Conway's decision has the force of law. UK can appeal the decision to circuit court within 30 days of March 27, the date of the decision. "UK spokesman Jay Blanton says officials are considering whether to file an appeal," Angel reports. The decision was publicly released Monday, the same day UK held a press conference about "the progress UK Healthcare has made in cardiology," she notes. "Yet the pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program remains under review, and patients from Central and Eastern Kentucky are being referred to hospitals out of state. Dr. Mark Plunkett remains on staff."

When Angel asked Dr. Michael Karpf, UK's executive vice president for health affairs, to comment, he replied, “We’ll have something to say about that in a little while.” Cheves notes, "UK recruited Plunkett, a noted surgeon at the University of California at Los Angeles, in 2007 to strengthen its pediatric heart program. He makes $700,000 a year, one of the highest salaries at UK." (Read more)

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/04/01/2582150/uk-violated-open-records-law-in.html#storylink=cpy

Read more herehttp://www.kentucky.com/2013/04/01/2582150/uk-violated-open-records-law-in.html#storylink=cpy

Attorney General Jack Conway has ruled that the University of Kentucky hospital violated the state Open Records Act by refusing to give a reporter for the university-owned radio station records relating to the work of the chief of cardiothoracic surgery, who has stopped doing surgery on children. UK refused to let Conway's staff examine the records to evaluate UK's claimed need for confidentiality.

After inquiries by Brenna Angel of WUKY, "UK announced that the hospital had stopped performing pediatric cardiothoracic surgeries pending an internal review," John Cheves writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Angel reports that she sought records on Dr. Mark Plunkett, left, who was also director of the pediatric and congenital heart program: "the date of Plunkett’s last surgery, the mortality rate of pediatric heart surgery cases, and documentation related to the program’s review." She sought no patient-specific information.

UK denied her request, citing the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and arguing that release of the information could lead to the identification of one or more patients because Plunkett was doing so few surgeries on children. It also cited HIPAA in refusing to let Conway's staff review the records. Conway rejected that argument, noting that HIPAA does not supersede state laws and even make allowances for them.

Because it deals with the Open Records Act, Conway's decision has the force of law. UK can appeal the decision to circuit court within 30 days of March 27, the date of the decision. "UK spokesman Jay Blanton says officials are considering whether to file an appeal," Angel reports. The decision was publicly released Monday, the same day UK held a press conference about "the progress UK Healthcare has made in cardiology," she notes. "Yet the pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program remains under review, and patients from Central and Eastern Kentucky are being referred to hospitals out of state. Dr. Mark Plunkett remains on staff."

When Angel asked Dr. Michael Karpf, UK's executive vice president for health affairs, to comment, he replied, “We’ll have something to say about that in a little while.” Cheves notes, "UK recruited Plunkett, a noted surgeon at the University of California at Los Angeles, in 2007 to strengthen its pediatric heart program. He makes $700,000 a year, one of the highest salaries at UK." (Read more)

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/04/01/2582150/uk-violated-open-records-law-in.html#storylink=cpy

Read more herehttp://www.kentucky.com/2013/04/01/2582150/uk-violated-open-records-law-in.html#storylink=cpy

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Improving Kentucky's mental health calls for the action of schools and doctors to identify children's mental health needs early

Many people may think that addressing mental health needs in Kentucky relies mostly on more funding, but its effectiveness hinges more on the ability to identify children who need help and make sure they get it early, two experts said on cn|2's "Pure Politics" Tuesday.

About half of mental illnesses begin to appear before a person turns 14, reports cn|2's Ryan Alessi. Mental-health experts say it’s often more effective and efficient to treat children, and it’s easier for parents to make sure their children get help than it is for someone to convince or coerce an adult exhibiting symptoms that he needs treatment, said Dr. Allen Brenzel, a child psychiatrist.


Encouraging school officials and doctors to identify children with these needs can be a challenge, Brenzel said, because it is difficult for a teacher to have tough conversations with parents about this topic. Also, while doctors may be most important in this process, obstacles exist because our current "system of care doesn't promote the amount of time and effort and importance on these issues," he said.

When a primary-care doctor's offices are jammed with sick patients and a parent comes in to discuss problems their child is having in school, "That’s a challenging environment in primary care,” Brenzel said. “But people trust their primary care providers very often, and that is where they go. So some of what we need to look at is co-location of services.”

Brenzel said we need a system with a single point of access, where a family can be greeted, there is a period of engagement and a reimbursement structure that supports the time and efforts required by behavioral health.

"We need to integrate behavioral health into the overall health care system," he said. "We have a very fragmented and inefficient system that leads to confusion when a family identifies that their child needs help and this isn't going to be fixed by a medical model.  We now know that the kinds of services need to be much more comprehensive and supportive. A system that allows a comprehensive mental and behavioral health assessment of needs will allow us to triage many kids out of the juvenile justice system."

Benzel said this is a societal issue and for every $1 that we spend in supportive services, we can avoid spend $5 later on adult incarcerations and adult prison. On average, it was more than $2,000 cheaper per person to treat a child than an adult. It amounted to $4,328 per child compared to more than $6,500 for each adult treated, Alessi reports.

Families may be fearful of the cost of mental-health services, but there are resources for people without mental-health insurance coverage at the 14 mental health centers in Kentucky, said Steve Shannon, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Programs.

In terms of resources, Kentucky spent nearly a half billion dollars on mental health for people under 21 in the 2010-11 fiscal year. For adults, the state spent more than $730 million, according to figures from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (Read more)

Many people may think that addressing mental health needs in Kentucky relies mostly on more funding, but its effectiveness hinges more on the ability to identify children who need help and make sure they get it early, two experts said on cn|2's "Pure Politics" Tuesday.

About half of mental illnesses begin to appear before a person turns 14, reports cn|2's Ryan Alessi. Mental-health experts say it’s often more effective and efficient to treat children, and it’s easier for parents to make sure their children get help than it is for someone to convince or coerce an adult exhibiting symptoms that he needs treatment, said Dr. Allen Brenzel, a child psychiatrist.


Encouraging school officials and doctors to identify children with these needs can be a challenge, Brenzel said, because it is difficult for a teacher to have tough conversations with parents about this topic. Also, while doctors may be most important in this process, obstacles exist because our current "system of care doesn't promote the amount of time and effort and importance on these issues," he said.

When a primary-care doctor's offices are jammed with sick patients and a parent comes in to discuss problems their child is having in school, "That’s a challenging environment in primary care,” Brenzel said. “But people trust their primary care providers very often, and that is where they go. So some of what we need to look at is co-location of services.”

Brenzel said we need a system with a single point of access, where a family can be greeted, there is a period of engagement and a reimbursement structure that supports the time and efforts required by behavioral health.

"We need to integrate behavioral health into the overall health care system," he said. "We have a very fragmented and inefficient system that leads to confusion when a family identifies that their child needs help and this isn't going to be fixed by a medical model.  We now know that the kinds of services need to be much more comprehensive and supportive. A system that allows a comprehensive mental and behavioral health assessment of needs will allow us to triage many kids out of the juvenile justice system."

Benzel said this is a societal issue and for every $1 that we spend in supportive services, we can avoid spend $5 later on adult incarcerations and adult prison. On average, it was more than $2,000 cheaper per person to treat a child than an adult. It amounted to $4,328 per child compared to more than $6,500 for each adult treated, Alessi reports.

Families may be fearful of the cost of mental-health services, but there are resources for people without mental-health insurance coverage at the 14 mental health centers in Kentucky, said Steve Shannon, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Programs.

In terms of resources, Kentucky spent nearly a half billion dollars on mental health for people under 21 in the 2010-11 fiscal year. For adults, the state spent more than $730 million, according to figures from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. (Read more)

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Poor, rural mothers-to-be have high levels of stress, and few resources to help them handle it, small-scale study concludes

Low-income pregnant women in rural areas experience high levels of stress, but lack the appropriate means to manage their emotional well-being, according to a small-scale study at the University of Missouri. The authors suggest that rural doctors should link these women with resources to help manage stress, Medical Xpress reports.

"Many people think of rural life as being idyllic and peaceful, but in truth, there are a lot of health disparities for residents of rural communities," Mizzou nursing professor Tina Bloom told Medical Xpress. "Chronic, long-term stress is hard on pregnant women's health and on their babies' health. Stress is associated with increased risks for adverse health outcomes, such as low birth weights or pre-terms deliveries, and those outcomes can kill babies."

Researchers studied about 25 rural pregnant women. Through interviews, researchers discovered that financial problems were one of the biggest stressers for them. Financial stress was exacerbated by the women's lack of employment, reliable transportation and affordable housing. The women also said that small-town gossip, isolation and interdependence of their lives with extended family members also increased stress. Almost two out of three women showed symptoms of depression, and one in four displayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. (Read more)

Low-income pregnant women in rural areas experience high levels of stress, but lack the appropriate means to manage their emotional well-being, according to a small-scale study at the University of Missouri. The authors suggest that rural doctors should link these women with resources to help manage stress, Medical Xpress reports.

"Many people think of rural life as being idyllic and peaceful, but in truth, there are a lot of health disparities for residents of rural communities," Mizzou nursing professor Tina Bloom told Medical Xpress. "Chronic, long-term stress is hard on pregnant women's health and on their babies' health. Stress is associated with increased risks for adverse health outcomes, such as low birth weights or pre-terms deliveries, and those outcomes can kill babies."

Researchers studied about 25 rural pregnant women. Through interviews, researchers discovered that financial problems were one of the biggest stressers for them. Financial stress was exacerbated by the women's lack of employment, reliable transportation and affordable housing. The women also said that small-town gossip, isolation and interdependence of their lives with extended family members also increased stress. Almost two out of three women showed symptoms of depression, and one in four displayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. (Read more)

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Kentuckians think their children's generation will be less healthy and worse off economically than current working-age generation

Forty percent of Kentucky adults think their children's generation will be less healthy than the current generation of working-age Kentuckians, and 61 percent think the newer generation will be worse off economically, according to a statewide poll conducted last fall.

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll also found that 54 percent think their parents' generation was better off economically, and 42 percent thought that generation was healthier than the current generation of Kentuckians.

“It is a cornerstone of the American Dream that, if we work hard, we will get ahead and be better off than our parents were,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Our polling suggests that optimism for a better future may be slipping away.”

Zepeda added, “Policymakers in Kentucky and Washington are grappling with economic and health policy issues that have long term impacts. Our polling clearly indicates the concern Kentuckians have, on the need to do better for our kids.”

For details of the poll, go to the foundation's website, www.healthy-ky.org.

The poll was conducted for the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati from Sept 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by landline and cell telephones. The margin of error for each figure is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

Forty percent of Kentucky adults think their children's generation will be less healthy than the current generation of working-age Kentuckians, and 61 percent think the newer generation will be worse off economically, according to a statewide poll conducted last fall.

The Kentucky Health Issues Poll also found that 54 percent think their parents' generation was better off economically, and 42 percent thought that generation was healthier than the current generation of Kentuckians.

“It is a cornerstone of the American Dream that, if we work hard, we will get ahead and be better off than our parents were,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Our polling suggests that optimism for a better future may be slipping away.”

Zepeda added, “Policymakers in Kentucky and Washington are grappling with economic and health policy issues that have long term impacts. Our polling clearly indicates the concern Kentuckians have, on the need to do better for our kids.”

For details of the poll, go to the foundation's website, www.healthy-ky.org.

The poll was conducted for the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati from Sept 20 through Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by landline and cell telephones. The margin of error for each figure is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

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UK has its pediatric heart program under review; chief is on leave, and patients are being referred to other hospitals

Kentucky Children's Hospital at the University of Kentucky is reviewing its cardio-thoracic surgery program and referring surgical patients to other hospitals, "but the reasons why are unclear," Brenna Angel reported Dec. 21 for WUKY-FM, the university-owned station.

Angel did identify "the surgeon at the center of the review," Dr. Mark Plunkett, left, who is on a leave of absence but "remains on staff at UK with a $700,000 annual salary," as chief of cardio-thoracic surgery. "UK denied an open-records request for the date of his most recent surgery and his patient mortality rate," citing privacy rules in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was unclear how release of such statistics, without any personally identifying information, would compromise privacy. Plunkett and officials of the medical center refused to be interviewed.

"It's been pretty hush-hush," Tabitha Rainey of Lexington, the mother of a Plunkett patient, told Angel, who reported: "Plunkett and his assistant Dr. Deborah Kozik operated on Waylon seven days after he was born. Tabitha was later told that Dr. Plunkett was taking a leave of absence." Rainey told Angel, "Months went past and they lost another patient, who was a dear friend of mine, and it was pretty heavy in the unit at the time. Then soon after I guess they decided to stop doing the surgeries and review the entire program."

Angle was able to get some records from UK and reported they showed that "The number of children Dr. Plunkett operated on this year is down around 43 percent from two years ago." UK Trustee Dr. Charles Sachatello, a surgeon who sits on the Board of Trustees' health-care committee, told Angel, "I was not aware of that, and that was never announced at the Board of Trustees meeting." Sachatello told Angel that UK should merge its pediatric heart program with the one at the University of Louisville because of the high operational costs of such programs. (Read more)

Kentucky Children's Hospital at the University of Kentucky is reviewing its cardio-thoracic surgery program and referring surgical patients to other hospitals, "but the reasons why are unclear," Brenna Angel reported Dec. 21 for WUKY-FM, the university-owned station.

Angel did identify "the surgeon at the center of the review," Dr. Mark Plunkett, left, who is on a leave of absence but "remains on staff at UK with a $700,000 annual salary," as chief of cardio-thoracic surgery. "UK denied an open-records request for the date of his most recent surgery and his patient mortality rate," citing privacy rules in the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It was unclear how release of such statistics, without any personally identifying information, would compromise privacy. Plunkett and officials of the medical center refused to be interviewed.

"It's been pretty hush-hush," Tabitha Rainey of Lexington, the mother of a Plunkett patient, told Angel, who reported: "Plunkett and his assistant Dr. Deborah Kozik operated on Waylon seven days after he was born. Tabitha was later told that Dr. Plunkett was taking a leave of absence." Rainey told Angel, "Months went past and they lost another patient, who was a dear friend of mine, and it was pretty heavy in the unit at the time. Then soon after I guess they decided to stop doing the surgeries and review the entire program."

Angle was able to get some records from UK and reported they showed that "The number of children Dr. Plunkett operated on this year is down around 43 percent from two years ago." UK Trustee Dr. Charles Sachatello, a surgeon who sits on the Board of Trustees' health-care committee, told Angel, "I was not aware of that, and that was never announced at the Board of Trustees meeting." Sachatello told Angel that UK should merge its pediatric heart program with the one at the University of Louisville because of the high operational costs of such programs. (Read more)

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U.S. teens' cigarette use drops to a new low, but use of alcohol goes up a bit and more 12th graders are smoking marijuana

Teenagers' cigarette smoking dropped to a record low this year but alcohol use rose slightly after seven years of decline, according to a survey of 45,000 eighth-, 10th- and 12th- graders for the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

The survey also found that the use of illicit drugs dropped slightly among eighth-graders but rose slightly among 12th-graders. Among them, 36.4 percent reported using marijuana in the past year, up from 34.8 percent in 2010, and the share who saw great risk in smoking marijuana occasionally dropped significantly, to 20.6 percent, from 24.5 percent in 2010.

Among all three age groups, only 10.6 percent said they had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days, down from 11.7 percent in 2010. The University of Michigan researchers who did the survey said the decline was significant, and may have been driven by a big increase in the federal tobacco tax in 2009.

"A 1-percentage-point decline may not sound like a lot, but it represents about a 9 percent reduction in a single year in the number of teens currently smoking," principal researcher Lloyd Johnston said in a news release. Among eighth-graders, the decline was about 20 percent. For other results of the survey, click here; for a PDF version, here. For the full survey report, go here.

"Teen attitudes toward smoking also continued to become more negative. For example, 80 percent of teens said they preferred to date nonsmokers in 2012," Steve Gorman reports for Reuters. "But anti-tobacco advocates said their battle to stamp out teen smoking was far from over, noting that 17 percent of high school seniors still graduate as smokers." And the figure is higher in many rural areas.

Kentucky ranks at or near the top in youth smoking. In 2010, the last year for which state figures are available, 16 percent of Kentucky children aged 12 to 17 (a slightly younger group than the one above) reported smoking a cigarette in the past month. The national rate for that age group was 10 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Teenagers' cigarette smoking dropped to a record low this year but alcohol use rose slightly after seven years of decline, according to a survey of 45,000 eighth-, 10th- and 12th- graders for the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

The survey also found that the use of illicit drugs dropped slightly among eighth-graders but rose slightly among 12th-graders. Among them, 36.4 percent reported using marijuana in the past year, up from 34.8 percent in 2010, and the share who saw great risk in smoking marijuana occasionally dropped significantly, to 20.6 percent, from 24.5 percent in 2010.

Among all three age groups, only 10.6 percent said they had smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days, down from 11.7 percent in 2010. The University of Michigan researchers who did the survey said the decline was significant, and may have been driven by a big increase in the federal tobacco tax in 2009.

"A 1-percentage-point decline may not sound like a lot, but it represents about a 9 percent reduction in a single year in the number of teens currently smoking," principal researcher Lloyd Johnston said in a news release. Among eighth-graders, the decline was about 20 percent. For other results of the survey, click here; for a PDF version, here. For the full survey report, go here.

"Teen attitudes toward smoking also continued to become more negative. For example, 80 percent of teens said they preferred to date nonsmokers in 2012," Steve Gorman reports for Reuters. "But anti-tobacco advocates said their battle to stamp out teen smoking was far from over, noting that 17 percent of high school seniors still graduate as smokers." And the figure is higher in many rural areas.

Kentucky ranks at or near the top in youth smoking. In 2010, the last year for which state figures are available, 16 percent of Kentucky children aged 12 to 17 (a slightly younger group than the one above) reported smoking a cigarette in the past month. The national rate for that age group was 10 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Many Ky. parents don't realize children are overweight, or won't acknowledge it, but many report kids' poor health behavior

By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

Many Kentucky parents don't realize that their children are obese or overweight, or at least aren't willing to acknowledge it. That is the obvious conclusion to draw from the latest results of the Kentucky Parent Survey, released Tuesday by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The poll found that only 14 percent of Kentucky parents say their child weighs too much, but the National Survey of Children's Health found that 37 percent of Kentucky children are overweight or obese. Conversely, 76 percent of parents in the poll think their child's weight is about right, but the national survey found that only 58 percent of Kentucky kids have healthy weight.

The Kentucky Parent survey, taken by land-line and cell telephone from July 19 to Aug. 22 by the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia, interviewed 1,006 Kentucky parents, step-parents, grandparents, foster parents or other legal guardians of children in Kentucky selected at random. The statistical margin of error for that sample size is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The poll also found that 56 percent of Kentucky children are watching more than the maximum daily recommended amount of “screen time” – watching television, playing video games or using the Internet – and that 59 percent drink sugar-sweetened beverages every day. Both are major factors in childhood obesity, research has found, and experts recommend no more than two hours of screen time a day and no sugar-sweetened drinks at all.

“Parents can help reduce this risk by encouraging healthy behaviors for their children,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.“Our children’s habits and behaviors impact their health today and shape their quality of life as they grow. When kids eat poorly and don’t get enough physical activity, it increases their risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. This poll data helps us understand what parents think about the behaviors that are so critical to health.”

The Kentucky Parent Survey also found that only 56 percent of Kentucky parents said their child got "enough" fruits and vegetables every day during the preceding week, and 66 percent of parents reported their child got "enough" physical activity every day during the preceding week. It also found that elementary and high-school students often get less than the recommended amount of sleep per day (chart).

The survey did not define "enough." The foundation noted that one strategy to reduce childhood obesity in Kentucky is "5-2-1-0," reflecting experts' recommendations that each day, children should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, have no more than two hours of screen time, engage in one hour of physical activity, and drink zero sugar-sweetened beverages. For the foundation's press release, click here.

By Al Cross
Kentucky Health News

Many Kentucky parents don't realize that their children are obese or overweight, or at least aren't willing to acknowledge it. That is the obvious conclusion to draw from the latest results of the Kentucky Parent Survey, released Tuesday by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The poll found that only 14 percent of Kentucky parents say their child weighs too much, but the National Survey of Children's Health found that 37 percent of Kentucky children are overweight or obese. Conversely, 76 percent of parents in the poll think their child's weight is about right, but the national survey found that only 58 percent of Kentucky kids have healthy weight.

The Kentucky Parent survey, taken by land-line and cell telephone from July 19 to Aug. 22 by the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia, interviewed 1,006 Kentucky parents, step-parents, grandparents, foster parents or other legal guardians of children in Kentucky selected at random. The statistical margin of error for that sample size is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The poll also found that 56 percent of Kentucky children are watching more than the maximum daily recommended amount of “screen time” – watching television, playing video games or using the Internet – and that 59 percent drink sugar-sweetened beverages every day. Both are major factors in childhood obesity, research has found, and experts recommend no more than two hours of screen time a day and no sugar-sweetened drinks at all.

“Parents can help reduce this risk by encouraging healthy behaviors for their children,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.“Our children’s habits and behaviors impact their health today and shape their quality of life as they grow. When kids eat poorly and don’t get enough physical activity, it increases their risk for obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. This poll data helps us understand what parents think about the behaviors that are so critical to health.”

The Kentucky Parent Survey also found that only 56 percent of Kentucky parents said their child got "enough" fruits and vegetables every day during the preceding week, and 66 percent of parents reported their child got "enough" physical activity every day during the preceding week. It also found that elementary and high-school students often get less than the recommended amount of sleep per day (chart).

The survey did not define "enough." The foundation noted that one strategy to reduce childhood obesity in Kentucky is "5-2-1-0," reflecting experts' recommendations that each day, children should eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, have no more than two hours of screen time, engage in one hour of physical activity, and drink zero sugar-sweetened beverages. For the foundation's press release, click here.

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Report: 110,000 Ky. youth 16 to 24 aren't in school or employed; state's rate of 'disconnected youth' exceeds U.S. average

Almost 110,000 teens and young adults in Kentucky are not enrolled in school and are not employed, even part-time, according to a new Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Nationwide, the number reaches nearly 6.5 million. In Kentucky between 2000 and 2011 the number of 16-19 year-olds not in school and not employed rose by 3 percent, but the number of idle young adults ages 20-24 climbed by a whopping 88 percent. Both rates exceed the national rate. (Getty Images)

The Kids Count report, "Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity," termed these 16- to 24-year-olds "disconnected." It found that they face many obstacles on their path to securing a stable financial future. For starters, many haven't finished high school and are competing with older Americans for the few entry-level jobs. In addition, they lack skills for higher-paying jobs. Many are poor and have attended under-performing schools. The report explains that, as such, this group can present a significant cost to taxpayers. (Read more) View the report here.

Almost 110,000 teens and young adults in Kentucky are not enrolled in school and are not employed, even part-time, according to a new Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Nationwide, the number reaches nearly 6.5 million. In Kentucky between 2000 and 2011 the number of 16-19 year-olds not in school and not employed rose by 3 percent, but the number of idle young adults ages 20-24 climbed by a whopping 88 percent. Both rates exceed the national rate. (Getty Images)

The Kids Count report, "Youth and Work: Restoring Teen and Young Adult Connections to Opportunity," termed these 16- to 24-year-olds "disconnected." It found that they face many obstacles on their path to securing a stable financial future. For starters, many haven't finished high school and are competing with older Americans for the few entry-level jobs. In addition, they lack skills for higher-paying jobs. Many are poor and have attended under-performing schools. The report explains that, as such, this group can present a significant cost to taxpayers. (Read more) View the report here.

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Task force recommends changes to protect safety and health of middle school students who play interscholastic sports

The boys of North Marshall Middle
School of Benton, Ky., after winning
a Christmas tournament last year.

Beth Musgrave of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the state Task Force on Interscholastic Athletics at the Middle School Level announced its preliminary recommendations this week to address concerns about young athletes' health and safety. It seems that middle school sports in Kentucky have never had the advantage of being governed by a unified code of rules and policies like their counterpart in high school sports. This has led to a confusing mish-mash of guidelines that the legislature is setting out to get right in the coming year.

Preliminary task force recommendations include requiring all middle school teams to follow high school rules on physical exams, medical coverage, concussions and practicing during extreme heat, and requiring the tracking of injuries and incidents for all sports. The task force also suggested that the Kentucky Board of Education look to create a single governing body, like the Kentucky High School Athletics Association that governs high school sports, to oversee all middle-school sports. Wilson Sears, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and a task force member, told Musgrave that the recommendations represent "real progress." (Read more)

The boys of North Marshall Middle
School of Benton, Ky., after winning
a Christmas tournament last year.

Beth Musgrave of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that the state Task Force on Interscholastic Athletics at the Middle School Level announced its preliminary recommendations this week to address concerns about young athletes' health and safety. It seems that middle school sports in Kentucky have never had the advantage of being governed by a unified code of rules and policies like their counterpart in high school sports. This has led to a confusing mish-mash of guidelines that the legislature is setting out to get right in the coming year.

Preliminary task force recommendations include requiring all middle school teams to follow high school rules on physical exams, medical coverage, concussions and practicing during extreme heat, and requiring the tracking of injuries and incidents for all sports. The task force also suggested that the Kentucky Board of Education look to create a single governing body, like the Kentucky High School Athletics Association that governs high school sports, to oversee all middle-school sports. Wilson Sears, executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents and a task force member, told Musgrave that the recommendations represent "real progress." (Read more)

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Report: Bounce-house injuries to children have skyrocketed

A new report out today in the journal Pediatrics warns that, on average, 31 children a day are transported to U.S. emergency departments for treatment of bounce-house injuries, including fractured bones and muscle damage. "If this was an infectious disease, we'd call it an epidemic and it would be on the front pages all over the country," said study co-author Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. (Associated Press photo)

Randy Dotinga of HealthDay reports that in the 15-year period between 1995 and 2010, the rate of bounce-house injuries jumped 15-fold, with the number escalating in the last few years of the study. In the new study, published online Monday and in the December print issue of Pediatrics, researchers found the most common bounce-house injuries were fractures, strains and sprains. Concussions and cuts were more common in boys. The average age of those hurt was 7.5 years old. (Read more) 

A new report out today in the journal Pediatrics warns that, on average, 31 children a day are transported to U.S. emergency departments for treatment of bounce-house injuries, including fractured bones and muscle damage. "If this was an infectious disease, we'd call it an epidemic and it would be on the front pages all over the country," said study co-author Dr. Gary A. Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. (Associated Press photo)

Randy Dotinga of HealthDay reports that in the 15-year period between 1995 and 2010, the rate of bounce-house injuries jumped 15-fold, with the number escalating in the last few years of the study. In the new study, published online Monday and in the December print issue of Pediatrics, researchers found the most common bounce-house injuries were fractures, strains and sprains. Concussions and cuts were more common in boys. The average age of those hurt was 7.5 years old. (Read more) 

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Kentucky parents' overall perception of Kentucky children's health doesn't match the statistics, foundation survey finds

Many Kentucky parents' perception of their children's health doesn't match statistics, suggesting that many health problems are going undetected or untreated.

That is the upshot of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's first Kentucky Parent Survey, conducted by the University of Virginia's Center for Survey Research this summer and released today.

Only 4 percent of Kentucky parents said a health professional had told them their child was obese, but the National Survey of Children's Health in 2007 found that almost 37 percent of Kentucky children were obese.

Just 5 percent of Kentucky parents said they had been told that their child had depression or anxiety, but about 25 percent of children 13 to 18 will have struggled with anxiety and 11 percent will have battled depression, according to a 2010 national study. And a recent study found that Kentucky teens were more likely than the national average to have attempted suicide.

About 17 percent of Kentucky parents reported that their child had decayed teeth or cavities, but a national survey of third graders in 2001-02 revealed that 35 percent had untreated dental issues.

Only 3 percent of parents said their child was diagnosed with a hearing problem, but 15 percent of children nationally have measurable hearing loss. And 14 percent reported being told their child had a vision problem, but about one in four preschoolers nationally have vision issues.

Parents also seem not to get enough advice from health care providers about how to treat their children's health issues, even though there are high rates of children suffering from tooth decay, vision problems, asthma, ADHD, depression/anxiety, obesity, hearing impairment and diabetes, the survey found.

While 92 percent of parents said their child had a regular doctor, just 80 percent said their child had a regular dental care provider. And a 74 percent majority of parents surveyed said they were always encouraged by their child's healthcare provider to ask questions during visits. "The exceptions are worth noting," said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the foundation. "If three in four parents said their child's provider always encouraged questions, this means that one in four were not always encouraged to ask questions." (Read more)

Many Kentucky parents' perception of their children's health doesn't match statistics, suggesting that many health problems are going undetected or untreated.

That is the upshot of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky's first Kentucky Parent Survey, conducted by the University of Virginia's Center for Survey Research this summer and released today.

Only 4 percent of Kentucky parents said a health professional had told them their child was obese, but the National Survey of Children's Health in 2007 found that almost 37 percent of Kentucky children were obese.

Just 5 percent of Kentucky parents said they had been told that their child had depression or anxiety, but about 25 percent of children 13 to 18 will have struggled with anxiety and 11 percent will have battled depression, according to a 2010 national study. And a recent study found that Kentucky teens were more likely than the national average to have attempted suicide.

About 17 percent of Kentucky parents reported that their child had decayed teeth or cavities, but a national survey of third graders in 2001-02 revealed that 35 percent had untreated dental issues.

Only 3 percent of parents said their child was diagnosed with a hearing problem, but 15 percent of children nationally have measurable hearing loss. And 14 percent reported being told their child had a vision problem, but about one in four preschoolers nationally have vision issues.

Parents also seem not to get enough advice from health care providers about how to treat their children's health issues, even though there are high rates of children suffering from tooth decay, vision problems, asthma, ADHD, depression/anxiety, obesity, hearing impairment and diabetes, the survey found.

While 92 percent of parents said their child had a regular doctor, just 80 percent said their child had a regular dental care provider. And a 74 percent majority of parents surveyed said they were always encouraged by their child's healthcare provider to ask questions during visits. "The exceptions are worth noting," said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the foundation. "If three in four parents said their child's provider always encouraged questions, this means that one in four were not always encouraged to ask questions." (Read more)

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Canadian study suggests children in day care are more likely to be obese than those cared for by their parents

Children who attend day care regularly are 50 percent more likely to be overweight than those who stay home with parents, according to a new University of Montreal study in Quebec. Lead researcher Marie-Claude Geoffroy said the disparity "cannot be explained by known risk factors such as socioeconomic status of the parents, breastfeeding, body mass index of the mother, or employment status of the mother."

Researchers studied more than 1,600 families with children born in 1997 and 1998 in Quebec, a sample that was representative of the majority of kids in the province. Mothers were interviewed about their children's care at ages 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4. Children were put into groups based on the type of care they received most. Researchers concluded that 65 percent of children spent most of their time in day care. Just 19 percent were cared for mostly by a parent.

Researchers found no clear explanation for the weight disparities, but they argued that day care has the potential to reduce weight problems in children through promotion of physical activity and healthy eating. (Read more)

Children who attend day care regularly are 50 percent more likely to be overweight than those who stay home with parents, according to a new University of Montreal study in Quebec. Lead researcher Marie-Claude Geoffroy said the disparity "cannot be explained by known risk factors such as socioeconomic status of the parents, breastfeeding, body mass index of the mother, or employment status of the mother."

Researchers studied more than 1,600 families with children born in 1997 and 1998 in Quebec, a sample that was representative of the majority of kids in the province. Mothers were interviewed about their children's care at ages 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4. Children were put into groups based on the type of care they received most. Researchers concluded that 65 percent of children spent most of their time in day care. Just 19 percent were cared for mostly by a parent.

Researchers found no clear explanation for the weight disparities, but they argued that day care has the potential to reduce weight problems in children through promotion of physical activity and healthy eating. (Read more)

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Study: Grandparent caregivers aren't up on latest safety standards for babies and children

Grandparents might be more quick to say yes to grandkids but they might also be a little behind the times on the the new safety guidelines that could better protect them. A new study finds that many grandparent caregivers don't know about those new health suggestions and, in some cases, laws for babies -- such as appropriate sleep position, crib safety and car seat use. This is particularly critical in a country where 2.8 million grandparents are primary caregivers to their grandchildren, an increase of nearly 20 percent since 2000, according to the the 2011 American Community Survey.

In this study, reporter Robert Preidt of HealthDay writes that 56 percent of grandparents asked got the question about the safest sleep position of babies wrong. (The correct answer is on their backs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.) "Another question addressed correct car seat positioning, and 24.5 percent of the participants said that a 9-month-old, 22-pound child should be facing forward. The AAP recommends, however, that children remain in rear-facing car seats until age 2 years." It doesn't get much better. Almost half of those grandparents questioned thought it was OK to have bumpers, stuffed animals and blankets in cribs. It's not.

We know it's difficult but maybe it time to have the talk. (Read more)

Grandparents might be more quick to say yes to grandkids but they might also be a little behind the times on the the new safety guidelines that could better protect them. A new study finds that many grandparent caregivers don't know about those new health suggestions and, in some cases, laws for babies -- such as appropriate sleep position, crib safety and car seat use. This is particularly critical in a country where 2.8 million grandparents are primary caregivers to their grandchildren, an increase of nearly 20 percent since 2000, according to the the 2011 American Community Survey.

In this study, reporter Robert Preidt of HealthDay writes that 56 percent of grandparents asked got the question about the safest sleep position of babies wrong. (The correct answer is on their backs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.) "Another question addressed correct car seat positioning, and 24.5 percent of the participants said that a 9-month-old, 22-pound child should be facing forward. The AAP recommends, however, that children remain in rear-facing car seats until age 2 years." It doesn't get much better. Almost half of those grandparents questioned thought it was OK to have bumpers, stuffed animals and blankets in cribs. It's not.

We know it's difficult but maybe it time to have the talk. (Read more)

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Canada declares BPA safe; Canadian government now breeding sickness for money, just like USA’s!

 

First they said it was toxic, now all of the sudden its safe! Never heard of flip-flopping on toxins, I thought that was just a political campaign strategy. Now, Health Canada's Food Directorate claims that exposure to BPA in food packaging "is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children."

This BPA, or bisphenol A, leaches out of containers into food and drinks and causes breast cancer, prostate cancer, birth defects in newborns, and much more! This is bad news, and is just as bad as FLUORIDATING WATER, which is now a double whammy for humans and animals, we have a drug in the municipal water and drugs in the bottled water. Great!

Corporate backed bureaucrats are back peddling for millions. The chemical industry is winning in Canada, just like it has been in the United Statessince after WWII, when Monsanto, Dow, Dupont, Bayer, BASF, and Big Pharma in general starting their wars on good health, and now GMO, vaccines and water are polluted to the max with chemicals that drive cancer cases.

 

 

You know there’s a government scam to make you sick when they take a “good for you” item and ACTUALLY ADD IN TOXINS. Many people buy bottled spring water because they already know the tap water has fluoride in it, and bleach, and pollution. People do not want to get cancer, so they try to eat and drink healthy. But the U.S. Government makes money off cancer and sickness, so they go out and turn a healthy item into a cancer causing item, or they simply don’t regulate companies that do it. It’s that simple. There’s no conspiracy or conspiracy theory here, just plain and simple politics.

 

See, politicians invest in Coke, in McDonald’s, in Vaccine Manufacturers, in Drug Makers, because they know how to double and triple their investments. Big Pharma is like advertising in America, it keeps the 1% from ever becoming part of the 99%, and you can bet they know where the toxins are, and they don’t feed them to their own families. They know about toxic water. They know about BPA. They know about Fluoride. They know about GMO.

 

Here it is; full coverage from Natural News:

 

"Keeping up with the latest science regarding chemical safety is apparently of little or no concern to the Canadian government, which recently declared the highly-toxic plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) to be safe just two years after declaring it to be a toxin. In a report issued by Health Canada's Food Directorate, the agency has iterated its unfounded position that exposure to BPA in food packaging "is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037740_BPA_Health_Canada_toxic_chemicals.html#ixzz2Ahsi0oPB

 

 

First they said it was toxic, now all of the sudden its safe! Never heard of flip-flopping on toxins, I thought that was just a political campaign strategy. Now, Health Canada's Food Directorate claims that exposure to BPA in food packaging "is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children."

This BPA, or bisphenol A, leaches out of containers into food and drinks and causes breast cancer, prostate cancer, birth defects in newborns, and much more! This is bad news, and is just as bad as FLUORIDATING WATER, which is now a double whammy for humans and animals, we have a drug in the municipal water and drugs in the bottled water. Great!

Corporate backed bureaucrats are back peddling for millions. The chemical industry is winning in Canada, just like it has been in the United Statessince after WWII, when Monsanto, Dow, Dupont, Bayer, BASF, and Big Pharma in general starting their wars on good health, and now GMO, vaccines and water are polluted to the max with chemicals that drive cancer cases.

 

 

You know there’s a government scam to make you sick when they take a “good for you” item and ACTUALLY ADD IN TOXINS. Many people buy bottled spring water because they already know the tap water has fluoride in it, and bleach, and pollution. People do not want to get cancer, so they try to eat and drink healthy. But the U.S. Government makes money off cancer and sickness, so they go out and turn a healthy item into a cancer causing item, or they simply don’t regulate companies that do it. It’s that simple. There’s no conspiracy or conspiracy theory here, just plain and simple politics.

 

See, politicians invest in Coke, in McDonald’s, in Vaccine Manufacturers, in Drug Makers, because they know how to double and triple their investments. Big Pharma is like advertising in America, it keeps the 1% from ever becoming part of the 99%, and you can bet they know where the toxins are, and they don’t feed them to their own families. They know about toxic water. They know about BPA. They know about Fluoride. They know about GMO.

 

Here it is; full coverage from Natural News:

 

"Keeping up with the latest science regarding chemical safety is apparently of little or no concern to the Canadian government, which recently declared the highly-toxic plastics chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) to be safe just two years after declaring it to be a toxin. In a report issued by Health Canada's Food Directorate, the agency has iterated its unfounded position that exposure to BPA in food packaging "is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children."

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/037740_BPA_Health_Canada_toxic_chemicals.html#ixzz2Ahsi0oPB

 

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13-year-old with national following succumbs to rare cancer

A 13-year-old McLean County boy whose fight with a rare cancer gained national attention died last night. The death of Lane Goodwin was announced to 342,000 followers on his "Prayers for Lane" Facebook page, report Rich Suwanski and Megan Harris of the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro.

"In 2010, Lane was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma Stage IV, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that is only diagnosed in one out of 1 million children," the reporters write. "In 2010, he underwent 54 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In 2011, 13 tumors were found in his bones. . . . The family regularly updated followers on Facebook with his condition. Almost half a million people worldwide 'liked,' posted words of encouragement or started fundraisers to help the family with medical expenses. Followers included celebrities, college and professional athletes and social media friends who were inspired by his fight against the deadly disease."

His mother, Angela Goodwin, told the newspaper last month, “We never expected this. We knew there was some good support and prayers for Lane the last couple of years, but this has been unbelievable.” (Read more)

A 13-year-old McLean County boy whose fight with a rare cancer gained national attention died last night. The death of Lane Goodwin was announced to 342,000 followers on his "Prayers for Lane" Facebook page, report Rich Suwanski and Megan Harris of the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro.

"In 2010, Lane was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma Stage IV, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that is only diagnosed in one out of 1 million children," the reporters write. "In 2010, he underwent 54 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In 2011, 13 tumors were found in his bones. . . . The family regularly updated followers on Facebook with his condition. Almost half a million people worldwide 'liked,' posted words of encouragement or started fundraisers to help the family with medical expenses. Followers included celebrities, college and professional athletes and social media friends who were inspired by his fight against the deadly disease."

His mother, Angela Goodwin, told the newspaper last month, “We never expected this. We knew there was some good support and prayers for Lane the last couple of years, but this has been unbelievable.” (Read more)

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