Results of a survey conducted by the state Department for Public Health paint a bleak picture of many Kentuckians' physical well-being.Each year the department polls Kentuckians about their overall health and lifestyle habits. Spokesperson Beth Fisher says in the latest survey, nearly a quarter of the state's adults rate their health as fair or poor."And they're also reporting that they're not doing the things they need to do to be healthy. They're not eating fruits and vegetables like they're supposed to. They're not exercising like they're supposed to. Also, a lot of Kentuckians don't have access to health care, which means they don't have health insurance or a health plan," Fisher said.Fisher says the lack of coverage is especially prevalant in Kentucky's Appalachian region.Among the other survey findings: About 70 percent of Kentuckians report they're overweight or obese.Fisher says the survey results are turned over to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and are used in Kentucky to shape recommendations for preventive health practices.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.