Key Conditions

Kentucky currently suffers from some of the poorest health outcomes in the nation. As a state, we should be doing everything we can to get Kentuckians the care they need to prevent, treat and manage the dangerous and costly health conditions that have become so prevalent in our communities. That includes removing the barriers to care that prevent patients from following their physicians’ recommendations. Ensuring Kentuckians can access care to treat these key conditions is critical in lowering health care costs and improving overall health outcomes across the state.

SMOKING

Almost twice as many adults smoke in Kentucky compared to the national average, including more than a quarter of all adult females. The good news is that 70 percent of smokers want to quit. Researchers found that patients who have the active support of their physicians when quitting demonstrated a 30 percent success rate, versus a 7 percent success rate for those attempting to quit on their own. To learn more smoking cessation resources and questions to ask your doctor, please visit committoquitky.com.

DRUG ABUSE

Kentucky’s overall overdose death rate is nearly twice the national average, with more than 1,000 residents dying from prescription drug overdoses each year. Many resources are available for Kentuckians and their family members who are struggling with addiction, including medication, counseling and recovery supports. For more information on using and disposing of prescription drugs safely, please visit kyma.org/know-your-meds-ky.

FLU/PNEUMONIA

Influenza and pneumonia cause 25 percent more deaths in Kentucky than in other parts of the country. Even the mildest cases of the flu can turn into pneumonia—a serious inflammation and infection of the lungs. These diseases can be especially dangerous among children, the elderly and others with compromised immune systems. The flu vaccine is the first and best line of defense when it comes to protecting yourself and others from the flu. For more information on the flu shot, please visit kyma.org/focus-on-flu.

DIABETES

14.5 percent of the adult population in Kentucky has diabetes, compared to 9.3 percent of the population nationwide. An addition 35.5 percent of Kentucky’s adult population have prediabetes. People with diabetes have medical expenses that are twice as high as those without diabetes, and complications include heart disease, stroke, amputation and end-stage kidney disease.

OBESITY

Kentucky has the fifth-highest rate of obesity in the nation. Children and adults who are overweight are at much higher risk of developing other serious health conditions, including diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and joint problems. The good news is that obesity is both treatable and manageable, and weight loss yields significant short- and long-term effects. For more information and resources, please visit kyma.org/your-health/kma-health-priorities/obesity.