Al Cross, Author at The Lexington Times

Al Cross

contagious diseases, Health, immunization, infectious diseases, News, pandemic, public health, seniors

Physician who treats only seniors endorses CDC recommendation that everyone over 65 should get a Covid-19 booster this spring

By Laurie Archbald-PannoneAssociate professor of medicine and geriatrics, University of Virginia In my mind, the spring season will always be associated with Covid-19. In spring 2020, the federal government...

Al Cross

Thu, March 14, 2024

cancer, Health, News, research, smoking

If you are diagnosed with cancer and you smoke, that’s one more reason to stop, says UK doctor who co-chaired national survey

Smokers who have cancer have a better chance of overcoming the disease if they stop smoking, but not all cancer-treatment programs do a good job of encouraging patients to...

Al Cross

Wed, March 13, 2024

Congress, Health, health insurance, Medicaid, News, obamacare, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Politics, president

Contrary to Trump’s musings, McConnell says efforts to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are ‘largely over’

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell waited for President Biden to arrive for the State of the Union speech Thursday, March 7, in the House chamber. (Pool photo by Shawn Thew,...

Al Cross

Wed, March 13, 2024

addiction, drug treatment, grants, Health, law enforcement, News, opioids, recovery, substance-use disorder

Coleman wants opioid commission to shift focus to prevention, especially among youth; leaves small door open to ibogaine

By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman laid out his mission for the next phase of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Tuesday, calling on them...

Al Cross

Tue, March 12, 2024

e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, general assembly, Health, legislature, News, nicotine

Bill aimed at curbing Kentucky’s youth ‘vaping epidemic’ passes House; Ky. Youth Advocates calls on Senate to make it stronger

By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News A bill to curb what its sponsor called the youth “vaping epidemic” in Kentucky passed the state House on Monday and is now in...

Al Cross

Mon, March 11, 2024

contagious diseases, exercise, Health, immunization, infectious diseases, misinformation, News, nutrition, obesity, opioids, pandemic, public health, sleep, state government

State health chief says measles risk stems from pandemic’s anti-vaccine ‘ideologies’; talks about weight-loss drugs, need for sleep

WKYT news anchor Bill Bryant interviews state Health Commissioner Steven Stack, M.D. By Al CrossKentucky Health News In a wide-ranging TV interview, state Health Commissioner Steven Stack warned Kentuckians...

Al Cross

Mon, March 11, 2024

Health, News, Politics, poll, polls

Poll: 12% of U.S. voters say abortion is their top voting issue

Kentucky Health News About one in eight voters said in a national poll last month that abortion will be the most important issue influencing their votes this year, and...

Al Cross

Mon, March 11, 2024

contagious diseases, Health, infectious diseases, influenza, News, pandemic, public health, RSV

Emergency-room visits for respiratory illness keep declining, but flu activity remains elevated, and hospital admissions for it are up

State Department for Public Health graphs, adapted by Kentucky Health News By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News Kentucky’s influenza levels remain elevated and hospitalizations for respiratory illness remain high, even...

Al Cross

Sun, March 10, 2024

children, e-cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, FDA, food and drug administration, general assembly, Health, legislature, News, nicotine, teenagers, teens

Bill is moving to create database (but not licensing) of vape retailers, raise fines and bring state law in line with FDA rules

A customer vapes at a shop in Richmond, Va. (Associated Press file photo by Steve Helber) By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News A bill to create a statewide database of...

Al Cross

Sat, March 9, 2024

general assembly, Health, News, pharmacists, pharmacy benefit managers

State and federal lawmakers say they’re still trying to rein in health-insurance middlemen, called pharmacy-benefit managers

By Melissa PatrickKentucky Health News A day after Gov. Andy Beshear talked at a White House roundtable about Kentucky’s moving to one pharmacy-benefit manager for Medicaid, First District U.S....

Al Cross