All media requests should be sent to Ally Wells at both awells@healthy-ky.org and info@healthy-ky.org.

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Op-Ed: Lawmakers should ban discredited, ineffective, cruel therapy that increases suicide among youth

t’s a therapy that is discredited, ineffective, and often cruel, that can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, and even suicide. Yet, this practice – known as conversion or reparative therapy – still exists in the commonwealth today with a goal of changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Now, Kentucky lawmakers have an opportunity to protect our next generation from these degrading practices. Two bills have been introduced – the Youth Mental Health Protection Act, HB 12 by Representative Lisa Willner, and SB 137 by Senator Alice Forgy Kerr. Both bills would bar licensed mental health professionals – including physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers – from engaging in sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts for people under 18-years old.

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Foundation names new Board leadership; adds members to Board of Directors, Community Advisory Council

“We are proud to call such distinguished leaders members of our Board and Council,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “Our Board and Council are a diverse and dynamic group of people from across our commonwealth. And while they represent many different fields and backgrounds, we all share a common goal: working toward making Kentucky healthier. We are grateful for their time and talent spent on this mission.”

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Access to Health Care, Children's Health, Obesity-Diabetes, Tobacco-Use Reduction Guest User Access to Health Care, Children's Health, Obesity-Diabetes, Tobacco-Use Reduction Guest User

Op-Ed: National study provides snapshot of Kentucky’s health challenges, progress

A review of the recently released 2021 America’s Health Rankings might be a good thought-starter. The rankings, released by United Health Foundation, provide a snapshot of Kentucky’s overall health relative to other states. It does not merely “rank” states against one another; it evaluates each state through a set of health, environmental and socioeconomic categories to help shed light on our health challenges and successes.

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High Five for Health: Campaign helps parents and caregivers create a “game plan” for getting their children vaccinated against COVID-19

A new public service campaign speaks directly to the concerns of Kentucky parents about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 – 11 years old. “High Five for Health,” launched by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and supported by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid, addresses concerns voiced by parents in focus groups, offers answers to frequently asked questions, and provides five steps for parents to consider when getting their child vaccinated.

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Foundation awards mini grants to 12 organizations to support increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake

Twelve Kentucky organizations, working on the ground in counties with low COVID-19 vaccine rates, were selected as recipients of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky’s Keeping our Communities Healthy mini grants. The grants – totaling $20,000 – are intended for rapid deployment for organizations to create new or expand on existing COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

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Poll shows COVID-19 vaccine efforts bearing fruit

A new Vaccines in Kentucky Poll, commissioned by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, shows efforts to encourage COVID-19 vaccines have persuaded two-thirds of those who said earlier this year they were open to changing their minds. The poll, conducted August 4 to September 4, showed overall lower hesitancy by about one-third, compared to a similar poll conducted six months ago.

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Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky offers $20,000 in mini grants to support increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Kentucky counties with low vaccination rates

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is offering $20,000 in Keeping our Communities Healthy mini grants to encourage Kentuckians to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The grants are intended for rapid deployment for organizations to create new or expand on existing COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

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U.S. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra keynote speaker at Bost Health Policy Forum

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra will be the keynote speaker during the Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum on September 21. Secretary Becerra will discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to increase vaccination rates and combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Ground-Game Challenge: Video Contest

The Foundation for a Health Kentucky is challenging Kentucky health care providers, pharmacists, local health department leaders and health influencers such as extension offices, faith leaders, etc., to help get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines out to their patients, neighbors, family and friends by making a video and posting on your social media, website, and community e-newsletters.

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