 October 26, 2021 Issue 126 KMA, KFMC Kicks Off “Breathe Better Kentucky” Lung Health Effort with Anthem Foundation  On Oct. 18, KMA and the KFMC launched its year-long lung health campaign through a grant from the Anthem Foundation, “Breathe Better Kentucky.” The effort will focus on lung health issues through the lens of health disparities and inequities across the state. The campaign will include the production of “Fighting to Breathe,”a three-part series that will air on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) this winter that examines the story of lung disease in Kentucky– the causes, the impact on those afflicted, and the exciting new developments in treatment and prevention. Hosts Renee Shaw and Wayne Tuckson, M.D. will speak with researchers, experts, advocates, and survivors who reveal eye-opening information that challenges basic assumptions about lung health. In addition, Breathe Better Kentucky will utilize targeted social media and web advertisements to communities where lung health issues are more prevalent, public service announcements and radio advertisements, as well as messaging on streaming services. The campaign will also host educational opportunities for healthcare providers to discuss improving outcomes, new technologies, and eliminating health inequity. “We’re excited about the opportunity to work with the Anthem Foundation to shed more light on lung health through the Breath Better Kentucky campaign,” said KMA President and pulmonologist Neal Moser, M.D. “With the COVID-19 pandemic not going away any time soon, and October being national Lung Health Awareness Month, there’s never been a better time to discuss the complications both COVID-19 and other diseases and infections can have on a person’s respiratory system.” Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky Medical Director Jeff Reynolds, M.D., agrees. “COVID-19 has complicated an already critical issue in the Bluegrass, as lung health is a particular concern for Kentuckians in minority and rural communities,” explained Dr. Reynolds. “African-American men are 50 percent more likely to get lung cancer, and this disease also disproportionately affects those who live in rural areas due to greater tobacco use. Combine that with COVID-19, which has caused more deaths by population size, both directly and indirectly, in minority groups compared with white individuals, and we have a lot to be concerned about. We want to encourage talking to a physician about treatment and management plans.” More information about the campaign is available at www.BreatheBetterKY.org. KMA, KFMC, KHA, KPCA Launch Updated “Take It From Me” Videos Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccination  With the surge created by the delta variant of COVID-19 sickening thousands and filling Kentucky hospitals to capacity, KMA, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical Care (KFMC), Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY), Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) and the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) introduced a new set of videos on Oct. 13 as part of the “Take It From Me” campaign to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The new series includes 18 :15 second to two-minute videos featuring KMA President-Elect Monalisa Tailor, and KPLI graduates Mark Brockman, Jr., M.D. and Christopher Jones, M.D., a nurse, and a patient who has recovered from the virus. The healthcare providers describe the challenges they’ve faced treating patients with COVID-19 and urge vaccination to help protect both the patient and their loved ones. Patient Ethan Koehler tells his story of skepticism regarding the vaccine before he got sick, how the virus impacted his life, and why he’s now an outspoken proponent of vaccination. “Overwhelmingly, we know Kentuckians trust their physicians, and these healthcare providers have high levels of confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. More than 96% of physicians are vaccinated against COVID-19, and we want our patients to take it from us that these vaccines are safe, effective and necessary to help end this pandemic,” said KMA President and pulmonologist Neal Moser, M.D. “Our polling shows most Kentuckians do what their healthcare providers recommend, and that includes vaccinations,” said Ben Chandler, FHKY president and CEO. “We’ve also heard from people they weren’t sure whom to trust and what information was real when it came to the virus or vaccine. That’s why testimonies from Kentuckians who’ve battled COVID-19 – from the patient side or provider side – are important. These are real stories from our local communities, and they can help us ‘move the needle’ and get more people vaccinated.” Nancy Galvagni, President of the KHA, agrees, and underscores the impact the latest surge has had on Kentucky hospitals. “So many of our hospitals are operating at full or near-full capacities, which are rates like we’ve never experienced. This means if you are in a car accident or have a heart attack, it may be difficult to find a hospital bed for you. So, this is about more than just COVID. We need Kentuckians to get vaccinated as soon as possible so we can end this surge and restore our hospitals and healthcare workers.” “While there has been an uptick in the number of Kentuckians getting vaccinated in recent weeks, we still have a lot of work to do,” said David Bolt, Chief Executive Officer of the KPCA. “There are still many residents who are hesitant. We hope that hearing from physicians, who have been vaccinated themselves, as well as a fellow Kentuckian who was previously unvaccinated and suffered greatly from this virus, will motivate those who are still on the fence to get the vaccine.” The “Take It From Me” videos will be served as advertisements on social media and streaming services statewide, with particular focus in Kentucky counties where vaccination rates remain low. The campaign is also utilizing geofencing technology to deliver its messages to attendees at high school and college football games. Viewers are encouraged to consult the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccine website, vaccines.gov/search, or to call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location near them. The PSAs are available for download below or on KMA’s YouTube channel. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r7fvwuvc1jsbqtw/AAAYOyIEH__BHiupBxbfumsna?dl=0  Provider Relief Fund Application Closes Oct. 26 You may be eligible for COVID-19 relief funding, but time is running out to apply. The application period for the Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distributions will close on October 26, 2021. The United States Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration developed a stakeholder toolkit at www.hrsa.gov/provider-relief/phase-4-arp-rural/stakeholder-toolkit, where you can find several materials featuring resources HRSA has created to assist in this outreach, including: A template email Sample newsletter content Ready-to-use social media content For any questions or additional assistance, please reach out to PRBInformation@hrsa.gov.  Kentucky Hospital Association COVID-19 Dashboard The latest update of the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) COVID-19 Dashboard is now available here. The dashboard is an effort to provide current information about hospitalizations and ICU bed usage rates due to the novel Coronavirus. KMA IN THE NEWS Business Wire Breathe Better Kentucky: New Campaign by KMA, KFMC and Anthem Foundation Focuses on Lung Health Issues, Disparities Amid COVID-19 AP News Organizations launch yearlong campaign on lung health The Middletown Press Organizations launch yearlong campaign on lung health Public News Service Kentuckian, 29, Hospitalized with COVID-19 Speaks Out on Vaccine The Marshall County Tribune Courier Vax campaign includes Benton survivor FOX 56 Ky. organizations launch yearlong campaign on lung health WPSD Local 6 Organizations launch yearlong campaign on lung health MEMBER NEWS  Redman featured in MD-Update Magazine KMA member Rebecca Redman, M.D., deputy director of clinical research for the UofL Health Brown Cancer Center, was featured in MD-Update magazine for ensuring head and neck cancer patients have the best chance for a fully functioning life after treatment. More Info  Croley featured in Q&A article about CHI Saint Joseph Health -Cancer Care KMA member Jessica Jones Croley, M.D., medical director for CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care, was featured in MD-Update magazine for her work. More Info  Don’t know your user name and password? Click here. About Us Membership Advocacy Education Your Health Leadership Programs News Events 9300 Shelbyville Road Suite 850 Louisville, Kentucky 40222 502.426.6200 Kentucky Health eNews is sponsored by:  The exclusively endorsed medical malpractice insurer of the KMA  |
