logo
75 organizations receive grants to fight drug epidemic in Kentucky

75 organizations receive grants to fight drug epidemic in Kentucky

Yahoo29-03-2025

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the latest grants awarded by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.
Coleman announced that $19.8 million was awarded to 75 Kentucky organizations to combat the opioid and drug epidemic in Kentucky.
75 organizations receive grants to fight drug epidemic in Kentucky
Teen arrested after allegedly leading police on motorcycle chase in London
KSP: Driver fell asleep in deadly Kentucky crash
'Throughout this process, we've seen the inspirational work of dedicated Kentuckians in every corner of our Commonwealth. They all share one goal: to save lives,' said Opioid Abatement Commission Director Chris Evans. 'I'm grateful to the Commission members and staff for the countless hours spent reviewing applications so we could invest in the programs that will change the trajectory of our Commonwealth.'
The money comes from the commonwealth's share of a nearly $900 million opioid settlement.
According to a news release, the commission approved the grant applications in two categories: treatment/recovery and prevention.
Since its creation in 2021, the commission has invested more than $85 million into prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
This Kentucky Airbnb is among the most wishlisted in the world
Study shows which counties in Kentucky have the most excessive drinkers
Kentucky among top 10 states Americans want to move to: research
'It's an incredible honor to be part of building programs that will help Kentuckians toward long-term recovery. Our Commonwealth is leading the nation in the fight against addiction, and I look forward to the lifesaving work of the organizations we're investing in today,' Coleman said.
DV8 Kitchen in Lexington received a $100,000 portion of the grant. Employees with DV8 Kitchen say the money helps them continue their life-changing work.
A full list of organizations receiving grants can be found below:
Treatment Grants 2025: Totaling $12,625,730
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky, (AppalReD), $93,745
Combine holistic legal services with other supportive services to promote recovery, stability and independence.
Clark, Estill, Jackson, Madison, Powell
Barren County Fiscal Court, $185,371
Provide SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training), harm reduction and referral services for clients who have greater needs.
Barren
Brighton Center, $300,000
Support sustainable employment with a three-prong approach to skills, credentials and career pathways.
Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton
Celebrate Recovery Fairdale, $22,503
Provide site-to-site transportation to weekly recovery meetings for participants living in transitional living facilities.
Jefferson
ChooseWell Communities, $250,000
Support parents with young children in early recovery (90+ days) by addressing barriers to sustainable employment, fostering long-term recovery and building a pathway to financial independence.
Jefferson
Community Advocates for Resources and Empowerment (CARE), $56,627
Provide temporary shelter, housing navigation and connection to resources to those experiencing homelessness and actively using drugs.
Bullitt, Hardin, Jefferson, Meade, Shelby
Cumberland Trace Legal Services, $93,750
Combine holistic legal services with supportive services to promote recovery, stability and independence.
Allen, Ballard, Barren, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Edmonson, Fulton, Graves, Green, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, McCracken, McClean, Metcalfe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, Webster.
DV8 Kitchen Vocational Training Foundation and DV8 Kitchens, $136,385
Offer the Employee Success Program to help remove barriers and support career path development and job readiness for those in recovery.
Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Mercer, Scott, Woodford
Enrich Corp., $411,218
Collaborate with over 200 local community organizations to provide a centralized referral hub for individuals and families who need treatment, housing, employment and other essential services.
Madison
Family Scholar House, $287,149
Support REAL (Recovery, Employment, Advocacy, and Limitless) Opportunities, a 5-step approach to wrap-around services during and post-treatment to progress individuals from 'crisis to stability.'
All counties
Fresh Start Health Centers, $353,756
Provide real-time monitoring of medication adherence, pill counts and recovery progress, addressing key challenges in OUD treatment.
Boyd, Carter, Lewis, Rowan
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, $397,539
Provide coordinated pre- and post-release reentry and recovery-based programming for justice-involved individuals recovering from opioid-related substance use disorder.
Jefferson, Oldham
Hazard Community & Technical College/KCTCS, $500,000
Provide a standalone field classroom unit at recovery/correctional centers to deliver industry-recognized certificates in high-demand fields such as fiber optics technology, computerized manufacturing and machining.
Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe
Hope Center, $267,501
Support licensed residential treatment for adult men who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with opioid use disorder and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
All counties
Horsesensing, $116,154
Provide residential treatment and therapeutic job training and placement for people living with opioid use disorder and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders through training to be a professional in the horse industry.
All counties
Housing Development Alliance, $150,017
Support permanent workforce reentry for people with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) by teaching on the job carpentry skills along with classroom instruction at Hazard Community & Technical College.
Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Perry
Kentucky Health Departments Association, $557,171
Provide a statewide harm reduction steering committee through harm reduction coordinators within local health departments (LHDs) along with technical assistance by the Kentucky River District Health Department (KRDHD).
All counties
Kentucky River District Health Department, $545,519
Support evidence-based interventions such as harm reduction supplies, naloxone distribution peer support and treatment navigation by addressing critical gaps in treatment services for individuals with opioid use disorder.
Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Wolfe
Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, $325,785
Provide comprehensive case management through peer support specialists, with lived experience, to assist participants in achieving and maintaining recovery and expanding their social and recovery support.
Clark, Estill, Madison, Powell
KVC Behavioral Healthcare Kentucky, $426,640
Provide integrated, coordinated care to pregnant mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD) and their families, along with access to obstetric, pediatric, and primary care, substance use treatment/opioid-use disorder treatment and a variety of therapeutic interventions.
Bracken, Carter, Fleming, Harlan, Letcher, Lewis, Mason, Perry, Pike Rowan
Lake Cumberland Sober Living, $271,839
Prepare 300 recovery housing residents to live successfully in the community through education, job skills, life skills, housing and other wrap around services that break down barriers to recovery from substance use disorders.
Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Jackson, Laurel, Lincoln, McCreary, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Taylor
Legal Aid Society, $93,750
Combine the support services of four independent, non-profit legal aids across the state to promote recovery, stability and independence as a response to the rising demand for legal services due to the opioid epidemic.
Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Jefferson, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, Washington
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, $93,750
Collaborate with health care professionals, first responders and social service agencies to build a comprehensive support system to tackle social and legal barriers hindering the health and well-being of those with substance use and opioid use disorder.
Anderson, Bath, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Elliott, Fayette, Fleming, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Greenup, Harrison, Jessamine, Kenton, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson, Rowan, Scott, Woodford
Lifeline Recovery Center, $270,464
Support individuals in recovery from substance use disorders by providing essential job skills, increasing employability and facilitating access to sustainable careers.
Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, McCracken, Marshall
Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, $140,761
Provide life skills development, educational gains, vocational training and ongoing psychotherapeutic support in a transitional sober housing facility.
Harlan, Knott, Letcher, Perry, Pike
Northern Kentucky Area Development District, $1,000,000
Support sustainable pathways to treatment and recovery through a community-based mental health provider and 988 line and provides residential and outpatient treatment modalities and aftercare.
Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton
Northern Kentucky University, $337,308
Connect residents and justice-involved persons in recovery with appropriate, evidence-based, recovery and support services, therapeutic transportation and peer support.
Carroll, Owen
Ramey-Estep Homes, $224,000
Reduce barriers to accessing, maintaining and completing recovery treatment through housing, transportation services, skill building, job training and onsite medical care.
All counties
Recovery Cafe Lexington, $499,729
Reduce barriers to safe, supportive recovery spaces for youth/young adults who are living with opioid use disorder.
Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Jefferson, Shelby
Recovery Now, $233,800
Expand recovery housing services to address the unique needs of targeted populations.
Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Taylor
Revive Ministries, $308,831
Provide a safe facility to enhance quality of life and to fill unmet needs in the community through education, career training, treatment, counseling and criminal expungement clinics.
Boyle, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Woodford
Save The Children Federation, $201,348
An early childhood and parenting education program to improve the parenting practices and knowledge that promotes positive parent-child interactions, family cohesion and young children's development targeting families impacted by the opioid crisis.
Clay, Lincoln, Perry
Second Hope Ministries, $28,500
Assist currently or formerly incarcerated individuals whose lives and families have been broken by OUD/SUD in finding recovery and purpose as they work to repair their relationships
Breckinridge, Clay, Hopkins, Jefferson, Livingston, Logan, Marion, Nelson, Scott, Shelby
Shepherds House, $345,708
Provide critically needed crisis access housing for persons with opioid use disorder while utilizing evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care in a therapeutic community.
All counties
Stable Recovery, $500,000
Integrate housing stabilization, workforce development and 12-step programming to transition those who suffer from opioid use disorder into long term independence, self-sufficiency and sobriety.
Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, Woodford
The Healing Place, $407,950
Offer comprehensive life planning and job placement services to those in recovery from opioid addiction.
Bullitt, Jefferson, Kenton, Marion, Shelby, Taylor, Washington
The Morton Center, $179,388
Provide adolescents ages 13-17 diagnosed with substance use disorders, and their families with compassionate, evidence-based outpatient treatment.
Jefferson, Oldham
Thrive Community Coalition, $355,433
Empower individuals and families affected by substance use disorders to achieve long-term recovery, rebuild their lives and contribute to resilient communities through meaningful employment to support self-sufficiency and overall wellness.
Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Pike
Tri-County Community Action Agency, $300,000
Provide critical recovery support services, remove barriers to treatment, strengthen families and empower individuals to rebuild their lives through education and job training.
Henry, Oldham, Trimble
Voices Of Hope – Lexington, $551,274
Support Access to Quality Individual Recovery Engagement (ACQUIRE) and increase the quantity and quality of recovery support services for people with opioid use disorder and other co-morbid polysubstance use.
Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott
Volunteers of America Mid-States, $650,000
Provide evidence-based, trauma-informed programming that helps individuals achieve and maintain their recovery.
Calloway, Lincoln, Pulaski
Western Kentucky MH-MR Board, Four Rivers Behavioral Health, $155,067
Provide services to individuals over the age of 18 with opioid use disorder, including those with comorbid polysubstance use or co-occurring mental illness.
Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken
Prevention Grants 2025: Totaling $7,178,203
Appalachian Artisan Center of Kentucky, $145,177
Foster a sense of community among participants as they learn to create in different art forms and provide opportunities to reintegrate with the larger local community as volunteers through Appalachian Artisan Center events.
Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, and Perry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, $250,000
Provide youth with critical mentorship support through long-term and impactful collaborative partnerships with schools, nonprofits, corporations, and more.
Jefferson
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass, $85,513
Empower high school students to become positive role models and mentors for younger children in the community, foster meaningful relationships that promote academic success, personal growth, and more.
Anderson, Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Gerrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and Scott
Breckinridge County Health Department, $109,614
Reduce the stigma on substance use while educating Breckinridge County on ways harm reduction efforts can improve the overall health and safety in their county.
Breckinridge
Children's Law Center, $187,500
Advance youth-focused prevention by providing holistic legal services for opioid-affected youth, most often those who are harmed by familial addiction.
Boone, Campbell, Fayette, Gallatin, Grant, Jessamine, Kenton, Scott, and Woodford
Community Advocates for Resources and Empowerment (CARE), $370,044
Respond to the pressing issues of substance use and misuse and increased homelessness in Louisville by providing temporary shelter, housing navigation, and connection to resources.
Jefferson
Cordata Healthcare Innovations, $333,527
Build community response efforts in all participating counties through consultation, training, mentoring, care management capability and/or evaluation tools.
Boyd, Breckinridge, Carter, Clay, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Greenup, Hardin, Knott, Lee, Letcher, McCreary, Marion, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, and Rowan
Dayton Independent School District, $8,000
Provide information to students, parents/guardians, educators and community members about the hazards of current drug trends
Campbell
Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), $500,000
Maintain Project REACH services within an eight-county region of Eastern Kentucky, enabling the agency to serve more Kentuckians with critical employment and career support.
Breathitt, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe
Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, Inc, $239,961
Provide a critical night-by-night shelter model to address significant gaps in services for adults with substance use disorder in Northern Kentucky.
Boone, Campbell, and Kenton
Family Nurturing Center of Kentucky, $166,438
Support services to children impacted by their caregiver's opioid use and to provide needed support to parents in recovery.
Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton
Franklin County Health Department, $494,200
Use strategic planning for opioid abatement in Franklin County to ensure long-term impact and sustainability, while also addressing urgent prevention priorities affecting their community's most vulnerable youth.
Franklin
Garrard County Schools, $60,000
Implement the Trait-Based Model of Prevention in Garrard County High School, directly targeting approximately 400 students.
Garrard
Graves County Local KY-ASAP Board, $212,568
Reduce the cycle of opioid misuse and recidivism through personalized case management, access to essential resources such as housing and employment, and a network of community partnerships.
Calloway, Graves, Hickman, McCracken, and Marshall
Hardin County Fiscal Court, $66,850
Reduce opioid-related deaths, increase access to treatment services, connect individuals to long-term recovery resources and reduce stigma through educating our community and government agencies.
Hardin
Hope Center, $287,260
Provide OUD prevention, as well as access to OUD treatment and recovery resources to homeless or precariously housed adults with or at-risk of Opioid Use Disorder.
All counties
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, $488,676
Provide trauma-informed recovery support services tailored to adult learners impacted by opioid use disorder (OUD) and co-occurring mental health challenges.
All counties
Kentucky Youth Advocates, $126,543
Use data to inform action at the local level through community discussions and individualized support to prevent future generations from experiencing the devastation of the opioid epidemic.
All counties
Learning Grove, $199,450
Empower youth in Northern Kentucky by combining substance abuse prevention strategies with college and career readiness programming.
Kenton
Lexington Leadership Foundation, $148,938
Help youth in low-income neighborhoods grow, succeed, and lead, enabling them to reach their full potential while increasing support for their families.
Fayette, Jessamine, and Scott
Lincoln Heritage Council, $31,361
Equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and support systems they need to make informed, healthy choices and prevent drug abuse.
Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Carrol, Christian, Crittenden, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Hopkins, Jefferson, Jessamine, Larue, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, McCracken, McLean, Marion, Marshall, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Trimble, Union, Warren, Washington, and Webster
Maryhurst, $89,050
Facilitate two cohorts of a 12-week psychoeducation and family therapy group for parents and caregivers of children at risk for opioid and other substance use disorders.
Jefferson
NewSong Counseling Center, $44,341
Support at-risk youth and their caregivers by providing two key services: a youth mentoring program and mental health group sessions.
Montgomery
Owensboro/Daviess County Family YMCA, $208,508
Develop and implement evidence-based opioid prevention strategies tailored to the diverse needs of communities across Kentucky.
Barren, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Campbell, Christian, Daviess, Graves, Henderson, Hopkins, Mason, and Union
Panacea Health Care, $83,000
Reduce opioid use and support long-term recovery among youth and adults by providing comprehensive prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services tailored to the needs of the community.
Anderson, Boyle, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Lincoln, Mercer, Scott, and Woodford
Somali Community of Louisville, $149,237
Work within Louisville's refugee and ethno-cultural communities to prevent opioid, alcohol, and other drug use.
Jefferson
South Central Kentucky Kids on the Block, $27,636
Focus on breaking the cycle of abuse by presenting substance use prevention and child abuse prevention programs.
Allen, Barren, Boone, Bullitt, Butler, Calloway, Campbell, Daviess, Edmonson, Fayette, Fleming, Hopkins, Jefferson, Kenton, Logan, Magoffin, Marshall, Monroe, Nelson, Ohio, Russell, Todd, and Warren
St. John Center, $200,000
Reduce overdose deaths among unhoused adults, increase access to treatment and recovery services, and address health disparities for individuals with or at risk of SUD/SMI/OUD through promoting housing stability.
Jefferson
Taylor County Schools, $150,000
Use the public-school setting to address systemic issues that make our community particularly vulnerable to opioid misuse.
Taylor
The Beacon of West Kentucky, $91,015
Support efforts of community collaborators in identifying adults needing treatment and provide the opportunity to support youth's social emotional needs while parents are incarcerated, in treatment, and recovery
Webster
The Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families, $155,588
Support grieving children, teens, and families who have experienced loss due to overdose or other causes.
Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Madison, and Woodford
Three Rivers District Health Department, $337,825
Serves four rural communities in Northern Kentucky who are in dire need of substance abuse education, prevention programs, and recovery assistance.
Carroll, Gallatin, Owen, and Pendleton
Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment & Education (Operation UNITE), $859,000
Involve students in the creation and implementation of opioid use prevention strategies, while also offering opportunities for leadership development through internships and scholarships.
Bath, Bell, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Gerrard, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley. Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe
Young Adult Development in Action, $96,383
Emphasize building skills in emotional regulation, decision-making, and resilience, while fostering strong relationships with adult mentors.
Jefferson
Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Louisville, $175,000
Connect youth with a trusted adult mentor, creating a supportive community to help process their experiences and encourage alignment with self-directed life goals rather than those shaped by adverse environmental influences.
Jefferson
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

"Maintaining Strong Bones Has Less To Do With Drinking Tons Of Milk": Experts Are Sharing What To Foods May Negatively Impact Your Bone Density
"Maintaining Strong Bones Has Less To Do With Drinking Tons Of Milk": Experts Are Sharing What To Foods May Negatively Impact Your Bone Density

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

"Maintaining Strong Bones Has Less To Do With Drinking Tons Of Milk": Experts Are Sharing What To Foods May Negatively Impact Your Bone Density

My grandmother has osteoporosis, along with 10 million other Americans diagnosed with the disease and 43 million others with low bone mass. Not wanting to follow in her hobbled footsteps, the rest of the women in the family are taking precautions, including consuming the recommended amount of calcium (more isn't necessarily better), adding weight-bearing exercises to our exercise regimens and attending regular doctor checkups. But according to orthopedic specialists, protecting and maintaining strong bones has less to do with drinking tons of milk (those Got Milk campaigns certainly had their intended effect) and more to do with avoiding foods and beverages that can impact our bone density. Folks concerned about osteoporosis often add calcium and vitamin D to their diets, but these supplements could hurt your bone health rather than help if not taken as needed. Dr. Liz Matzkin, associate professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Boston, explained: 'Although calcium and Vitamin D is important to maintain bone health, exceeding the recommended doses per day can backfire and be harmful rather than beneficial. Calcium and vitamin D requirements are age dependent, so make sure you are aware of the optimal dose for you.' She advised that, for ages 50 and over, the recommendations are 1,000 milligrams per day of calcium and 800 to 1000 international units per day of vitamin D. Below, orthopedic surgeons and specialists share the foods they avoid to help lessen their risk of osteoporosis. Alcohol Related: This Picky Eater Showdown Will Be Tough For People Without Refined Palates We don't blame you if you're totally confused about whether alcohol is a healthy or unhealthy addition to your diet. Whether you've heard it's beneficial for heart health or are concerned about its effect on the liver, Matzkin cautions that sipping a few glasses of pinot or chugging lagers can negatively affect bone health. 'An increased consumption of alcohol can alter the body's ability to absorb important nutrients that are actually beneficial to bone health, such as calcium, vitamin D and magnesium,' she explained. While calcium and vitamin D often get the spotlight in this area, our sex hormones, like testosterone in men and estrogen in women, are also critical for ensuring strong bones. Angelina Waller, a physician assistant at Advanced Orthopedics in Denver, explained that alcohol 'slows the bone remodeling cycle and disrupts hormone levels.' If you do like to imbibe, Matzkin recommends no more than one alcoholic beverage per day (which is the maximum amount women should be drinking anyway, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Older folks and those who are at risk of bone breakage should be especially cautious. 'Lastly, if you consume too much alcohol, there is a higher risk of falling and injuring or fracturing a bone,' Matzkin said. A 2018 study found a link between alcohol consumption and hip fractures. Caffeine Related: If Your Fruit And Vegetable Knowledge Is Actually Good, Prove It By Getting 22/27 Of These Questions Right While America runs on coffee, it doesn't fuel our bones. And not just coffee. Add energy drinks, soda, tea and supplements or any product with caffeine to the hit list. Just like alcohol, the idea isn't abstention but moderation. 'Caffeine has been shown to increase calcium loss and decrease calcium absorption, both of which negatively influence bone health,' Matzkin said. 'Consider decaffeinated coffee or tea options if you just need something to warm you up or, even better, a tall glass of water.' The Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day (about 4-5 cups of coffee), which is a good guideline to use for bone health too. The bone builder vitamin D is also affected by caffeine, which can interfere with absorption. 'Caffeine causes decreased calcium absorption and increased calcium loss in the urine,' Waller said. Soda, particularly cola, is also a culprit of bad bone health. A 2006 comparative study found that drinking cola (including diet versions!) was associated with significantly lower bone mineral density in women. The level of consumption is related to the problem: The more cola the women drank, the more significant its impact. 'Soda contains sugars and can also contain phosphoric acid and caffeine,' Matzkin said. 'All of which fail to have any health benefits and, if consumed in large quantities, will result in negative health consequences.' Wheat Bran It may come as a surprise that heart-healthy wheat bran can have a negative effect on bone health. 'Wheat bran has high levels of phytates, which can prevent calcium absorption,' Matzkin explained. Many people eat wheat bran because it's high in dietary fiber, which is essential for keeping you regular, decreasing heart disease and even preventing colon cancer, all important considerations for many Americans. Thankfully, if you're a consumer of oat bran (which is different from wheat bran), it doesn't have the same deleterious effects on bones as wheat bran, according to Matzkin, as it doesn't contain high levels of phytates. Phytates are a type of anti-nutrient naturally found in plants. Many of your favorite veggies and legumes (from kale and cabbage to beans and peanuts) contain compounds that reduce the absorption of other nutrients. Pseudoscience makes a big deal out of avoiding these compounds, but for the most part, there's no reason to avoid these otherwise-healthy foods. Beans, spinach and beets also contain anti-nutrients that can decrease calcium absorption, but soaking (in the case of dried beans) or cooking (for raw spinach and beets) lessens their impact, according to Waller. 'Beans and wheat bran contain phytates, and spinach and beets contain oxalates that decrease calcium absorption as they bind to the calcium,' she said. If you want to reduce the phytates in wheat bran, you can try soaking, sprouting or fermenting it. Since it has tons of other benefits, there's no need to completely remove it from your diet, just moderate your intake. 'As with almost all foods, moderation is key,' Matzkin said. 'No need to completely eliminate wheat bran from the diet, but understanding that it can affect [calcium] absorption should prompt supplementation with other [calcium]-rich foods.' Salt Whether your tastes run salty or sweet or salty-sweet, the white stuff is typically associated with high blood pressure rather than bone loss. But it really should be a consideration for bone health, especially for older and at-risk groups. 'Be aware of salt that can be hidden in meats, snacks and processed foods such as cold cuts,' Matzkin said. 'Consuming excessive amounts of salt (more than 2,300 milligrams per day) can lead to calcium loss from your bones.' According to a 2018 study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, increased sodium consumption significantly increased the risk of osteoporosis. To put that in perspective, 2,300 milligrams per day is equal to 1 teaspoon of table salt, according to the FDA. On average, Americans are eating 1.5 times that amount. This post originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Food: I'm Not Calling You Uncultured, But If You Can't Pass This International Food Also in Food: People Are Sharing The "Unneccessary" Cooking Rules They Stopped Following Ages Ago Also in Food: If You Can't Name At Least 10 Of These Fruits, You've Got The Taste Buds Of A Toddler

Stressed, Scrolling On Social, And Stuck? Here's What To Do About It.
Stressed, Scrolling On Social, And Stuck? Here's What To Do About It.

Forbes

time9 hours ago

  • Forbes

Stressed, Scrolling On Social, And Stuck? Here's What To Do About It.

Have you ever found your focus and your mood completely derailed after getting sucked into a social media scrolling session? Maybe it started innocently enough with something like researching vacation destinations. Maybe you went looking for a dinner recipe. Or maybe you found yourself going down a rabbit hole looking up physical or mental health symptoms you've been having. Social media scrolling has been linked to poorer mental and physical health and decreased work ... More productivity. LifeStance Health recently surveyed over 1,000 U.S. adults to uncover how being constantly online connectivity impacts Americans' mental well-being and relationships. One of the most startling findings was that so many participants reported relying on social media for mental health advice, despite concerns about its credibility, with a whopping 50% of Gen Z-ers self-diagnosing mental health conditions based on social media content (but sometimes hesitating to actually seek professional help afterwards). And then before you know it, forty-six minutes have passed and you're totally overstimulated, treading water in a puddle of your own stress-sweat and you somehow need to get yourself back on track so you can get on with your day. As becoming 'chronically online' has become the norm for so many, this can play a big role in wellbeing. 26% of respondents shared that they check social media within five minutes of waking up, and the same portion spends four hours or more daily on social media. Gen Z (45%) and millennial respondents (39%) were found to be the most likely to be constantly connected, compared to Gen X (25%) and baby boomer (14%) respondents. These social media time-sucks and mood-dips can be disruptive no matter what time of day or night they occur, but when they hit in the middle of your day, it can significantly throw you off course. Here, experts share their insights and tips for how to cope when you're overstimulated by social media. Health experts agree that spending too much time on social media can have a negative impact on ... More overall wellbeing. Dr. Caroline Fleck, a psychologist and author of Validation, quips, 'If i wanted to set up conditions that would lead someone to develop major depression disorder, I'd have them lie down, limit their sunlight exposure, and put them in a space where it's very easy to compare themselves to other people—social media offers all of those things.' According to Srini Pillay, M.D., a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, chief medical officer of Reulay and author of 'Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of The Unfocused Mind', being chronically online can cause severe cognitive decline. He cites a March 2025 article published in Brain Science indicating that excessive exposure to low-quality digital content, especially through social media and video platforms, causes a phenomenon known as 'brain rot'—a term recently crowned Oxford's Word of the Year. 'Symptoms include emotional numbness or fogginess, memory issues, poor decision-making, and a distorted sense of self—fueled by dopamine-driven feedback loops that keep users locked in.' Other researchers have found that chronic online users usually multitask and get side-tracked by constant notifications, which can lead to poor attention, memory, and decision-making, he adds. Physical health issues like increases in inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), more physical symptoms and more visits to a doctor or health center for physical illness have also been noted in research. 'While social media can foster connection and provide emotional support, especially for marginalized groups,' explains Dr. Pillay, it is also linked to a range of potential health challenges. These include increased risk of anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and body dissatisfaction—especially among girls—largely due to social comparison, problematic use, and content exposure.' He adds that excessive use may displace vital health-promoting activities 'like sleep, physical activity, and real-world social interaction.' The neglect of physical health can contribute to or exacerbate mental health issues. And by the way, this isn't just impacting individual wellbeing. Pillay, who is also a leadership development expert who works with Fortune 500 companies to help them build more resilient, agile, creative and productive teams, shares that according to research from McKinsey & Co., employee disengagement and attrition could cost a median-size S&P 500 company between $228 million and $355 million a year in lost productivity. 'Over five years, that's at least $1.1 billion in lost value per company. The multitasking that occurs while working and engaging social media may slow people down, hamper creativity, and increase anxiety, thereby impacting engagement.' Taking breaks and getting outside can help you get back on track with your day after a disruptive ... More scrolling session. Prentis Hemphill, a therapist focused on embodiment and the author of What It Takes to Heal, encourages starting by acknowledging how social media is actually designed to hijack your attention. 'I think it's good for us to know and understand that the design of social media has us consuming a lot of information and experiences of other people, but the speed at which we can do that doesn't align with the speed at which our body processes emotion and experiences. So if we end up in that scrolling vortex, we usually experience some kind of overwhelm.' That information about your mental state gives you a starting place. 'Once we notice we're triggered or overwhelmed, that's a time to take a step back.' They encourage checking in with yourself about exactly what you're feeling. 'This can give you clues as to which actions you can take. Discern exactly what it is you feel.' When we recognize what we're feeling and what's contributing to the uncomfortable feelings, explains Dr. Fleck, 'we get some information about what the antidote would be.' In many cases, she says, the inverse can be helpful. If you're scrolling inside, get outdoors, if you're in a climate with sun. 'You can even just sit outside without your phone.' Or if you've been sitting down while scrolling, 'flip that on its head and get some movement. These are just some physiological ways of regulating your body.' Considering how social media impacts your thoughts is also helpful, she says. 'On social media, you're being told to buy this and do that. You're getting the fundamental messaging that you're not enough. Self-validation is so important. You can say to yourself, 'I don't need anything other than what I am and what I have. I am enough.' You can validate, of course I'm feeling bad—I'm comparing myself to people who are photoshopped to the nth degree. Recognize that it's a distorted reality.' Sometimes being honest with yourself about what you're looking for on social media can also offer valuable clues, explains Dr. Fleck. 'If you're getting into scrolling while you're working, most likely what you need in that moment is a break from the mental stimulation of the work you're doing.' However, instead of giving ourselves a break, we flood our nervous system with these messages, she says, 'and it makes us feel keyed up and burnt out at the same time. Instead of restoring our faculties, we've exhausted them. So if the function is to regulate or distract, if you notice this pattern more than once, it becomes about, 'What can I do' to change this pattern.' Hemphill adds, 'Carving out some time and space to be with your focus and train your focus as best you can makes it a little easier to you do have to refocus or shift, having a mini ritual, such as a mini meditation, to help you be intentional about that transition to where you're back in the driver's seat of your attention can help you. A lot of us don't transition back—our minds are still in that other space but we have work to do. This helps us get back into our bodies.' Some other examples they share are taking a deep breath and going outside to connect with nature and your body. Dr. Pillay adds that deliberately seeking positive online experiences can help in the shrt term too. 'For example, if laughing babies make a person happy, they might search for a video online to switch their mood instantly. Or if a particular song puts them in a better mood, they might listen to that song immediately.' He also points to a study that demonstrated that affirming one's values is rewarding to the brain. 'This works especially if you think about what you want to honor in the future.' Your mindset around social media has been shown to play a role in how it impacts you. Dr Fleck encourages being honest with yourself about why you're scrolling. To go back to the example of someone looking up symptoms, she says, 'When we look up symptoms on social media, sometimes we're seeking some degree of, 'Is there anybody out there who's feeling what I feel?' What we're seeking there is some signal that what we're going through is real and overwhelming and hard. But that isn't always the type of validation that serves us. It would be so much healthier to have someone to talk to rather than validation that things are as bad as they seem.' If you've noticed that some people you know will tell you they find social media uplifting while others find it draining, the reason for that likely lies within, explains Dr. Pillay. 'Recent research suggests the answer lies not in the platforms themselves, but in the mindsets we bring to them. In a large-scale, multi-study investigation involving over 2,000 participants, scientists introduced the concept of social media mindsets—core beliefs about how much control people feel over their use and whether they view it as helpful or harmful to their lives.' 'The study found that people with a sense of agency and a positive outlook on social media's role in their lives tend to enjoy greater psychological and relational well-being,' he says. 'In contrast, those who feel out of control and believe social media harms them report higher levels of distress.' Those who felt like they could control when they scrolled and could take a break whenever they wanted fared better than those who felt like it was out of their control. 'As you rethink your digital health behaviors,' says Dr. Pillay, 'consider that changing your mindset may just change your relationship with social media—and yourself. Health experts recommend setting healthy boundaries with social media and building in restorative ... More daily practices. The Lifestance survey data reflects that an increasing number of people are considering using digital detoxes as ways to disconnect, with 76% of respondents reporting that they find the idea of a digital detox appealing, with Gen Z (84%) and millennial (83%) respondents most interested compared to respondents from other generations. Over a quarter of respondents stated that they actually believe a permanent TikTok ban would positively impact their mental health. 'I think these questions of how we manage social media in our lives are so important,' says Hemphill. 'I think it's so important for us to have identities and lives that are full beyond social media.' They encourage exploring how you can cultivate a sense of autonomy when we have such strong algorithms driving negative emotions like insecurity and fear. Hemphill recommends designating specific times and spaces for social media. 'Setting blocks of time can help you set a reliable place and time where you know you can go in and come out. There are also places that are sacred spaces. I don't scroll on social media when I'm with my kid or my partner. I also try to have other practices during my day and hold certain spaces sacred where social media can't enter. You can also fill out your own social media experience with the types of content you want to see.' Matthew Solit, LCSW, Executive Clinical Director at LifeStance Health, adds, 'Be careful with online mental health content and self-diagnosis. While it may seem more comfortable, it is not reliable. Wellness takes work and that work is most likely actualized through working in direct partnership with mental health professionals. The mental health challenges that can be fueled by excessive internet use, 'doom-scrolling' and overstimulation are real. If your thoughts involve harming yourself or others, please seek help immediately.'

Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says
Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says

Yahoo

time15 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Nearly 11 million Americans would lose insurance under Trump's tax bill, analysis says

About 10.9 million Americans would lose health insurance coverage under the President Donald Trump's tax cut bill that cleared the House but faces a tough test in the Senate, a new analysis shows. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said about 10.9 million Americans would lose health insurance coverage through 2034 under the bill, including 1.4 million undocumented residents who get coverage through state-funded programs. The legislation that cleared the House would require nondisabled Americans on Medicaid to work at least 80 hours per month or qualify for an exemption, such as being a student or caregiver. The bill also would strip coverage to immigrants who get Medicaid through state-funded programs. The analysis said the bill would cut federal spending by about $1.3 trillion through 2034. But it would also deliver tax cuts of $3.75 trillion, and the federal deficit would increase nearly $2.4 trillion over the next decade. Health analysts said if the Medicaid changes as well as tweaks to the Affordable Care Act marketplace clear Congress, the effects on health insurance coverage would be significant. The CBO earlier estimated nearly 4 million people would lose health insurance coverage through 2034 if Congress did not extend sweetened COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits that have made ACA plans more affordable for consumers. Trump's Medicaid overhaul as well as the expiration of the more generous ACA tax credit could jeopardize health insurance coverage for nearly 15 million people, said Kathy Hempstead, a senior policy officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "We're making a giant U-turn here," said Hempstead. "Are we really going to be a thriving, productive society if we have a huge share of our population uninsured?" Hempstead said the uninsured might delay care and accrue more medical debt. She also said hospitals and doctors also will take a financial hit as uncompensated care rises. "There's going to be a big hit on on the health care economy as people stop getting care and start trying to get care that they can't pay for," Hempstead said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CBO says 10.9 million to lose insurance under Trump tax bill

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store