Latest news with #Kentuckians
Business Journals
a day ago
- Health
- Business Journals
KY HEARS: Celebrating 3 years of expanding access to hearing health care in Kentucky
Since its launch in 2022, KY HEARS — an initiative of Heuser Hearing Institute — has worked to reshape hearing health care access across Kentucky. This includes removing barriers for rural communities throughout the Commonwealth. The KY HEARS team consists of professional hearing health care providers that are passionate about ensuring that all Kentuckians have access and information about hearing loss. KY HEARS is breaking barriers and creating new pathways for individuals and communities with innovative solutions, such as mobile clinics and community outreach, aimed at improving hearing health care outcomes. By providing these essential services and fostering community partnerships, KY HEARS serves as a model for addressing hearing health care challenges in rural and urban settings. Confronting a widespread challenge Hearing loss is a prevalent issue in Kentucky, significantly impacting the quality of life for thousands of residents. Approximately 16% of Kentuckians — nearly 700,000 individuals — experience some degree of hearing impairment, mirroring national statistics where 15% of American adults report difficulty hearing with a higher prevalence among older adults and resident in rural areas. These communities face limited access to audiology services. The social and economic consequences are profound, from increased isolation and health risks to reduced educational and employment opportunities. KY HEARS exists to close these gaps — and in just three years, the initiative has made meaningful strides in bringing awareness and action to addressing hearing loss. Major milestones: 2022-2025 The KY HEARS team not only delivers direct care but also raises public awareness, reduces stigma and encourages early intervention, which is beneficial for lifelong outcomes. Highlights include: Statewide outreach. Clinics have reached 30 counties, bringing hearing screenings, education and follow-up care to hundreds of Kentuckians. 10,000+ miles traveled. The mobile team provides consistent, localized care through quarterly return visits, ensuring patients are not left without follow-up. Collaborative partnerships. Working with local health departments, the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerks, the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Voc-Rehab of Kentucky, UK College of Agriculture and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Raising Hope Initiative, services have amplified both reach and impact. Mobile hearing clinic. This self-sufficient unit can perform hearing tests for up to six patients at a time, enhancing the program's capacity to deliver services. The mobile clinic will facilitate participation in health fairs, provide OSHA-compliance testing, and bring professional care to more communities across the state. Bridging gaps in education and employment The program's mission goes beyond health care. KY HEARS is also tackling disparities in education and workforce participation among Kentucky's deaf and hard-of-hearing population. According to the 2024 report from the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, children identified as Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) have significant academic and literacy challenges. Academic gaps widen as students progress through school, as reflected in annual state testing. KY HEARS' goal of early intervention for children with hearing loss includes school-based screenings, pediatric testing for infants and preschool children, and speech and language therapy. By connecting individuals to resources and partners — such as Kentucky Vocational Rehabilitation and the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing — KY HEARS helps support long-term success in life, school and work. Systemic impact and a vision for the future Unaddressed hearing loss costs millions in added health care expenses, lost productivity and diminished quality of life. KY HEARS is answering that challenge with scalable solutions that meet people where they are. The new mobile clinic, industrial outreach programs and growing network of partnerships all reflect the program's commitment to equity, innovation and community empowerment. This includes advocating for routine screenings and accessibility, universal design in health care settings, training and awareness, and patient empowerment. By addressing these systemic and provider-level barriers, significant strides can be made in reducing the health disparities faced by individuals with hearing loss. KY HEARS' initiatives align with these strategies by proactively delivering accessible hearing health care and bridging gaps in care for underserved populations. As KY HEARS enters its fourth year, we strive to develop greater community-based programs that effectively address hearing loss — ensuring that every Kentuckian has the opportunity to hear, connect and thrive. Keeping the vision alive The KY HEARS initiative operates under Heuser Hearing Institute and Language Academy. The mission of HHI and HHLA is to provide hearing health care services to children and adults who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, a mission in action for over 75 years. It is our belief that every person deserves quality hearing health care and that barriers of access should be removed. As a nonprofit, we seek to develop partnerships that share our desire to serve others. If you would like to support our mission, either financially or through service, we welcome you.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawsuit challenging Kentucky's near-total ban on abortions is withdrawn
Attorneys for a woman who sued Kentucky seeking to restore the right to an abortion have dropped their challenge to the state's near-total ban on the procedure. The attorneys filed a motion Friday to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit, but did not give a reason for seeking to drop the case. The lawsuit had been filed last year in state court in Louisville on behalf of a woman who was seven weeks pregnant at the time and identified only by the pseudonym Mary Poe to protect her privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which had represented the woman, said in a statement it would not give additional details about the dismissal. 'People have the right to control their own bodies without government interference, and we will never stop fighting to restore abortion access in Kentucky,' said Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. 'We are strategizing our next steps in this fight.' The lawsuit was challenging Kentucky's near-total trigger law ban and a separate six-week ban, both of which were passed by Republican legislative majorities. The trigger law took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. 'Kentuckians can be proud that our pro-life values won the day today and innocent lives will continue to be saved as a result,' Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican, posted on X. The trigger law bans abortions except to save the life of the patient or to prevent disabling injury. It does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Republican lawmakers earlier this year inserted several new medical exceptions, though abortion-rights supporters said the exceptions don't add clarity and in fact undermine the judgment of doctors by remaining silent on other situations.
a day ago
- Politics
Lawsuit challenging Kentucky's near-total ban on abortions is withdrawn
Attorneys for a woman who sued Kentucky seeking to restore the right to an abortion have dropped their challenge to the state's near-total ban on the procedure. The attorneys filed a motion Friday to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit, but did not give a reason for seeking to drop the case. The lawsuit had been filed last year in state court in Louisville on behalf of a woman who was seven weeks pregnant at the time and identified only by the pseudonym Mary Poe to protect her privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which had represented the woman, said in a statement it would not give additional details about the dismissal. 'People have the right to control their own bodies without government interference, and we will never stop fighting to restore abortion access in Kentucky,' said Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. 'We are strategizing our next steps in this fight.' The lawsuit was challenging Kentucky's near-total trigger law ban and a separate six-week ban, both of which were passed by Republican legislative majorities. The trigger law took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. 'Kentuckians can be proud that our pro-life values won the day today and innocent lives will continue to be saved as a result,' Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican, posted on X. The trigger law bans abortions except to save the life of the patient or to prevent disabling injury. It does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Republican lawmakers earlier this year inserted several new medical exceptions, though abortion-rights supporters said the exceptions don't add clarity and in fact undermine the judgment of doctors by remaining silent on other situations.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lawsuit challenging Kentucky's near-total ban on abortions is withdrawn
Representative Image Attorneys for a woman who sued Kentucky seeking to restore the right to an abortion have dropped their challenge to the state's near-total ban on the procedure. The attorneys filed a motion Friday to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit, but did not give a reason for seeking to drop the case. The lawsuit had been filed last year in state court in Louisville on behalf of a woman who was seven weeks pregnant at the time and identified only by the pseudonym Mary Poe to protect her privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which had represented the woman, said in a statement it would not give additional details about the dismissal. "People have the right to control their own bodies without government interference, and we will never stop fighting to restore abortion access in Kentucky," said Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. "We are strategizing our next steps in this fight." The lawsuit was challenging Kentucky's near-total trigger law ban and a separate six-week ban, both of which were passed by Republican legislative majorities. The trigger law took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. "Kentuckians can be proud that our pro-life values won the day today and innocent lives will continue to be saved as a result," Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican, posted on X. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The trigger law bans abortions except to save the life of the patient or to prevent disabling injury. It does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Republican lawmakers earlier this year inserted several new medical exceptions, though abortion-rights supporters said the exceptions don't add clarity and in fact undermine the judgment of doctors by remaining silent on other situations.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lawsuit challenging Kentucky's near-total ban on abortions is withdrawn
Attorneys for a woman who sued Kentucky seeking to restore the right to an abortion have dropped their challenge to the state's near-total ban on the procedure. The attorneys filed a motion Friday to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit, but did not give a reason for seeking to drop the case. The lawsuit had been filed last year in state court in Louisville on behalf of a woman who was seven weeks pregnant at the time and identified only by the pseudonym Mary Poe to protect her privacy. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, which had represented the woman, said in a statement it would not give additional details about the dismissal. 'People have the right to control their own bodies without government interference, and we will never stop fighting to restore abortion access in Kentucky,' said Amber Duke, executive director of the ACLU of Kentucky. 'We are strategizing our next steps in this fight.' The lawsuit was challenging Kentucky's near-total trigger law ban and a separate six-week ban, both of which were passed by Republican legislative majorities. The trigger law took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. 'Kentuckians can be proud that our pro-life values won the day today and innocent lives will continue to be saved as a result,' Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, a Republican, posted on X. The trigger law bans abortions except to save the life of the patient or to prevent disabling injury. It does not include exceptions for cases of rape or incest. Republican lawmakers earlier this year inserted several new medical exceptions, though abortion-rights supporters said the exceptions don't add clarity and in fact undermine the judgment of doctors by remaining silent on other situations.
