Kentucky: One of the unhealthiest states in the US

**warriors** · 07-19-2005, 06:17 PM

Thought this article was pretty interesting and kinda sad.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky ranks among the unhealthiest states — a plight that's largely self-inflicted due to smoking, eating fatty foods and not exercising enough, The Courier-Journal reported in a special section published Sunday.

Chronic poor health threatens lives and hits all Kentuckians in the pocketbook through taxes and insurance premiums, according to the Louisville newspaper's special report.

On almost every health measure, Kentuckians fare poorly — second worst nationally for cancer deaths, fifth worst for cardiovascular deaths and seventh worst for obesity, according to the paper, which published a special eight-page section on the state's poor health.

Kentuckians die at a rate of 18 percent above the national average, the newspaper reported. Its report said residents of all income levels are disabled and killed by cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes — chronic illnesses that are linked to smoking, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles.

"We don't have to worry about foreign aggressors," said Dr. Baretta Casey, a Hazard physician and University of Kentucky professor. "We are killing ourselves off."

Poverty is at the center of the problem, factoring into nutrition, health habits and medical care that people receive. Minorities in Kentucky's cities, who are disproportionately poor, die from diseases at rates comparable to those in some of the hardest-hit rural areas. And Kentucky has 43 of the nation's 340 persistently poor rural counties.

In Knott County, two brothers and a father share a small house and serious health woes.

James White, 42, weighs 340 pounds and has high blood pressure, but still eats mostly fatty foods, such as fried chicken and pork chops. His older brother Eddie, 46, had a six-way heart bypass last year. He is unemployed and uninsured and so can afford little medical care. He owes thousands of dollars in medical bills.

Their father, Fred "Justin" White, 70, has heart disease, chronic kidney failure and Parkinson's disease. He can't stand for more than 10 minutes at a time, gets around using a cane he carved and needs help with tasks as simple as dressing.

At the White House Clinic in McKee, also in eastern Kentucky, Dr. Sandra Dionisio remembers a patient with cancer so advanced she had a foul-smelling, open wound in her breast.

"I see a lot of illnesses similar to a third-world country," said Dionisio, an internist trained in the Philippines.

The General Assembly took steps this year to deal with the state's health woes, raising the cigarette tax from 3 cents a pack to 30 cents and passing legislation to improve nutrition and physical fitness in schools.

Dr. James Holsinger Jr., secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said he and Gov. Ernie Fletcher, also a physician, view health as a top priority.

"We've got some big mountains to climb," Holsinger said.

Each of the state's major chronic diseases costs the Medicaid program hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. In the fiscal year ending June 2003, Medicaid spent $611 million for diabetes, $422 million for cancer, $372 million for coronary artery disease and $728 million for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The state and federal program provides health insurance for the poor, disabled and those in nursing homes.

Health-related costs are a concern for Mike Hamrick, a 45-year-old pastor in Lawrenceburg and a father of two teenagers, even though his family is generally healthy. Health insurance takes a large chunk of his salary.

If the state's population were healthier, experts said, government would be able to spend more money on other priorities.

"Any dollar you spend on Medicaid, you don't have to spend on K-12 education, for example, said Jeanne Boeh, chairwoman of the economics department at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

But the chronic diseases plaguing Kentuckians are linked to behaviors that are woven into the state's culture, making them difficult to change.

Smoking is a prime example. Kentucky, the nation's top producer of burley tobacco, also has the highest percentage of adult smokers. Almost one out of three Kentucky adults light up despite evidence that smoking contributes to heart disease, strokes and lung cancer.

Lung cancer kills Kentuckians at the nation's highest rate.

Carolyn Sue Cheek of Clay County started smoking at age 7. The 51-year-old once quit for more than a year, but started up again under the stress of watching her mother, a former smoker, die of lung cancer.

Cheek, who smokes two or three packs a day, labors to breathe with asthma and emphysema. She tells her grandchildren: "Don't ever take up the smoking habit. You know how Mom-mom struggles with her lungs."

Poor eating and exercise habits also are common.

Many Kentucky meals include fried and fatty foods, part of the traditional Southern diet.

Compounding the problem, research shows that two-thirds of Kentuckians in 2003 didn't meet national recommendations to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week.

More than a quarter of all state residents are obese, putting them at risk for heart attack, stroke, Type II diabetes and colorectal cancer.

Unless far more effort and political will is focused on curing the problem, health advocates said, a bad situation will only worsen as obese children, young smokers and baby boomers grow older.

However, experts and advocates said Kentucky's problems are not insurmountable. If the state solves its health crisis, it can show the way for the rest of the nation, which now has a lower life expectancy than such industrialized countries as Canada, Japan and Germany.

"Our state does not have to be the worst health state in the nation," said Casey, the Hazard doctor. "Don't ever take up the smoking habit."

The newspaper plans two more special reports this year on the health of Kentuckians. As part of its series, it also scheduled a free health fair July 26 in conjunction with a television station and a number of health groups.

**Trick D** · 07-21-2005, 02:27 PM

Every year we hear that West Virginia is last or next to last in health, and we are the oldest state per capita, and that we are the second poorest. We suck!

But I tell you what, Land, houses, and living expenses in this state is low. Which benefits the people that has some money.

**Pioneer** · 07-21-2005, 05:23 PM

they like their fried chicken.

**b-boy** · 07-21-2005, 05:45 PM

well we doing just fine down in Paducah, Kentucky.....LOL

**Trick D** · 07-21-2005, 07:11 PM

heh, well that is good to hear b-boy...

Ghosting · 07-22-2005, 06:43 AM

*note to self, move to Kentucky, be different, be cool?*

**powerman2000** · 07-22-2005, 07:38 AM

I wonder what kind of a house $400K will get you there.

**Trick D** · 07-22-2005, 01:29 PM

Well I forget where your from Powerman, but in West Virginia 400k goes a long long way. Most ritzy houses go for about 250k+ if not in a major city (suburbs) 400k is a very very huge house. I will try to find a link to a house that is for sale for about that much so you can get an idea of property value in this shithole. lol.

Dan · 07-22-2005, 06:00 PM

I am amazed the south has more health problems than other places. You would think they would all look like Trick from sweating constantly. And it must feel gross to be really fat and sweat like that. ...ICKY!!!

**warriors** · 07-22-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

I am amazed the south has more health problems than other places. You would think they would all look like Trick from sweating constantly. And it must feel gross to be really fat and sweat like that. ...ICKY!!!

Well us southern ppl love to eat thats for sure. When we barbecue it's always greasy ribs, big fat ball park franks, fatty hamburgers, fried chicken, etc. The south also has alot of farms so the air isnt that clean b/c of all the chemicals that are sprayed.

And to think....i live on one

**Trick D** · 07-25-2005, 02:01 PM

I spent the day in kentucky yesterday. I gained 30 pounds, I felt shortness of breath, and my total cholesterol went up 343,300 points. As soon as I got back into west virginia, I felt a lot better.

Fireman X · 07-31-2005, 03:22 AM

This is blatant racism.

Dan · 07-31-2005, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireman X

This is blatant racism.

No it is not but you are 3 for 3 with this type of comment.

Ghosting · 07-31-2005, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireman X

This is blatant racism.

Racism - (rszm)
n.

Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

I wasnt aware Kentucky had its own race of people?

What race are they?

**Sholiz** · 07-31-2005, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghosting

I wasnt aware Kentucky had its own race of people?

What race are they?

Redneck

Ghosting · 07-31-2005, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sholiz

Redneck

LOL. I forgot we counted them.

You racist bastards, picking on the great state of Kentucky, with your racist comments. Shame!

Ghosting · 07-31-2005, 05:52 AM

Now this was NOT racist as it can be explained.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trick D

. I gained 30 pounds

This is just water retention from your D-Bol/Anadrol combo and PMS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trick D

I felt shortness of breath,

Asthma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trick D

my total cholesterol went up 343,300 points.

Eating handfuls of Crisco straight from the can.

:fruity: <--Crisco man

07-19-2005, 06:17 PM	#1
warriors The world is yours Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,127 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 29	Kentucky: One of the unhealthiest states in the US Thought this article was pretty interesting and kinda sad. LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky ranks among the unhealthiest states — a plight that's largely self-inflicted due to smoking, eating fatty foods and not exercising enough, The Courier-Journal reported in a special section published Sunday. Chronic poor health threatens lives and hits all Kentuckians in the pocketbook through taxes and insurance premiums, according to the Louisville newspaper's special report. On almost every health measure, Kentuckians fare poorly — second worst nationally for cancer deaths, fifth worst for cardiovascular deaths and seventh worst for obesity, according to the paper, which published a special eight-page section on the state's poor health. Kentuckians die at a rate of 18 percent above the national average, the newspaper reported. Its report said residents of all income levels are disabled and killed by cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes — chronic illnesses that are linked to smoking, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. "We don't have to worry about foreign aggressors," said Dr. Baretta Casey, a Hazard physician and University of Kentucky professor. "We are killing ourselves off." Poverty is at the center of the problem, factoring into nutrition, health habits and medical care that people receive. Minorities in Kentucky's cities, who are disproportionately poor, die from diseases at rates comparable to those in some of the hardest-hit rural areas. And Kentucky has 43 of the nation's 340 persistently poor rural counties. In Knott County, two brothers and a father share a small house and serious health woes. James White, 42, weighs 340 pounds and has high blood pressure, but still eats mostly fatty foods, such as fried chicken and pork chops. His older brother Eddie, 46, had a six-way heart bypass last year. He is unemployed and uninsured and so can afford little medical care. He owes thousands of dollars in medical bills. Their father, Fred "Justin" White, 70, has heart disease, chronic kidney failure and Parkinson's disease. He can't stand for more than 10 minutes at a time, gets around using a cane he carved and needs help with tasks as simple as dressing. At the White House Clinic in McKee, also in eastern Kentucky, Dr. Sandra Dionisio remembers a patient with cancer so advanced she had a foul-smelling, open wound in her breast. "I see a lot of illnesses similar to a third-world country," said Dionisio, an internist trained in the Philippines. The General Assembly took steps this year to deal with the state's health woes, raising the cigarette tax from 3 cents a pack to 30 cents and passing legislation to improve nutrition and physical fitness in schools. Dr. James Holsinger Jr., secretary of the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said he and Gov. Ernie Fletcher, also a physician, view health as a top priority. "We've got some big mountains to climb," Holsinger said. Each of the state's major chronic diseases costs the Medicaid program hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. In the fiscal year ending June 2003, Medicaid spent $611 million for diabetes, $422 million for cancer, $372 million for coronary artery disease and $728 million for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The state and federal program provides health insurance for the poor, disabled and those in nursing homes. Health-related costs are a concern for Mike Hamrick, a 45-year-old pastor in Lawrenceburg and a father of two teenagers, even though his family is generally healthy. Health insurance takes a large chunk of his salary. If the state's population were healthier, experts said, government would be able to spend more money on other priorities. "Any dollar you spend on Medicaid, you don't have to spend on K-12 education, for example, said Jeanne Boeh, chairwoman of the economics department at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. But the chronic diseases plaguing Kentuckians are linked to behaviors that are woven into the state's culture, making them difficult to change. Smoking is a prime example. Kentucky, the nation's top producer of burley tobacco, also has the highest percentage of adult smokers. Almost one out of three Kentucky adults light up despite evidence that smoking contributes to heart disease, strokes and lung cancer. Lung cancer kills Kentuckians at the nation's highest rate. Carolyn Sue Cheek of Clay County started smoking at age 7. The 51-year-old once quit for more than a year, but started up again under the stress of watching her mother, a former smoker, die of lung cancer. Cheek, who smokes two or three packs a day, labors to breathe with asthma and emphysema. She tells her grandchildren: "Don't ever take up the smoking habit. You know how Mom-mom struggles with her lungs." Poor eating and exercise habits also are common. Many Kentucky meals include fried and fatty foods, part of the traditional Southern diet. Compounding the problem, research shows that two-thirds of Kentuckians in 2003 didn't meet national recommendations to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a week. More than a quarter of all state residents are obese, putting them at risk for heart attack, stroke, Type II diabetes and colorectal cancer. Unless far more effort and political will is focused on curing the problem, health advocates said, a bad situation will only worsen as obese children, young smokers and baby boomers grow older. However, experts and advocates said Kentucky's problems are not insurmountable. If the state solves its health crisis, it can show the way for the rest of the nation, which now has a lower life expectancy than such industrialized countries as Canada, Japan and Germany. "Our state does not have to be the worst health state in the nation," said Casey, the Hazard doctor. "Don't ever take up the smoking habit." The newspaper plans two more special reports this year on the health of Kentuckians. As part of its series, it also scheduled a free health fair July 26 in conjunction with a television station and a number of health groups. __________________ Not Around...

07-21-2005, 05:23 PM	#3
Pioneer Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,719 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 73	they like their fried chicken. __________________ "A Marine in battle fears disgracing himself by running. He fears not losing his life, but losing his honor. He may not be able to preserve his life, but he can always preserve his honor. That much is within his power... To fear disgrace but not death, to fear not duty but dereliction from duty -- this is courage." -FMFM 1-0 "Leading Marines" pg. 43 Drive on

07-22-2005, 06:43 AM	#6
Ghosting IronMass Donator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,801 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 22	note to self, move to Kentucky, be different, be cool? __________________ Robcardu is the Jesus of the 90s.

07-22-2005, 07:38 AM	#7
powerman2000 The Old Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,136 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 200	I wonder what kind of a house $400K will get you there. __________________ Don't forget to periodize Best BP 507 lbs competitive Best Squat 705 lbs competitive Best DL 650 lbs competitive Guns don't kill people, men who come home early do. My workout log http://www.ironmass.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6247

07-22-2005, 06:00 PM	#9
Dan Unpaid Trash Collector Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,725 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 26	I am amazed the south has more health problems than other places. You would think they would all look like Trick from sweating constantly. And it must feel gross to be really fat and sweat like that. ...ICKY!!! __________________ Got an issue send a PM ... to anyone but me

07-21-2005, 05:45 PM	#4
b-boy Gold Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 548 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 42	well we doing just fine down in Paducah, Kentucky.....LOL

07-31-2005, 03:22 AM	#12
Fireman X New Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	This is blatant racism.

07-31-2005, 09:04 AM	#18
Rip Amateur Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 76 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4