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Mayor Greg Fischer was presented a Health Leadership Award yesterday at the opening dinner of the US Conference of Mayors 86th annual meeting in Boston. The award was presented by CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, that regularly evaluates the nation’s 40 largest cities on the number and strength of their policies that help people live longer, better lives.
Louisville was one of only nine cities recognized for health leadership at the event.
In its annual health rankings released May 22, CityHealth awarded Louisville a bronze medal overall, meaning the city has a bronze, silver or gold medal in four of the nine CityHealth policies: affordable housing, alcohol sales control, complete streets, earned sick leave, food safety/restaurant grading, healthy food procurement, high-quality universal pre-kindergarten, smoke-free indoor air, and having a minimum legal age of 21 for purchase of tobacco products.
Louisville is one of only five cities nationwide that increased its overall medal status in 2018.
Over the past year Louisville strengthened its smoke-free indoor air ordinance by prohibiting the smoking or vaping electronic cigarettes as well as hookah. The city was also recognized for instituting a healthy vending policy, as well as a restaurant grading system that requires food establishments to post their food inspection grade where customers can see it.
“This award affirms the work my administration has been focused on since day 1: that we become a healthier city,” Mayor Fischer said. “We know that policy has a tremendous impact on how healthy the people of our city can be. That’s why we adopted a health in all policies approach to all that we do. It’s great to see our efforts having positive results, and we will continue working toward that overall goal of creating a culture of health.”
An employee of Denny’s restaurant at 4030 Dutchman’s Lane in St. Matthews has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. Another employee at the same restaurant was diagnosed with acute hepatitis A in March. The two cases are not related.
Customers who ate at this Denny’s from May 4, 2018 to May 24, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. While the risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating at this restaurant is low, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution. The hepatitis A outbreak remains centered among the homeless and those who use illegal drugs.
When a food service worker is diagnosed with hepatitis A, he or she is immediately excluded from work and not allowed to return without release from his or her medical provider. Additionally, all employees at the establishment are vaccinated and disinfection and sanitation practices are followed. The St. Matthews Denny’s scored 93-A and 94-A on its last two health inspections.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak and has recommended that all residents be vaccinated. Since the outbreak began there have been 413 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 66,500 vaccinated.
“Food-borne transmission has not been a factor in this outbreak,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. “The virus continues to be transmitted person-to-person, primarily among those who use illegal drugs and the homeless. We have had a very small number of food workers diagnosed with hepatitis A and the restaurant industry throughout Louisville continues to get their workers immunized. More than 5,700 local food service employees have been vaccinated against hepatitis A.”
Reduced-cost vaccinations continue to be available to restaurant workers. Restaurant workers wishing to be vaccinated should contact their managers for details.
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases,” Dr. Caloia added. “Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
Louisville Metro Council passed an Ordinance requiring nutritional standards and a healthy default beverage in children’s meals, the first in the nation to adopt the combined standards. The so-called “healthy-by-default” rule that passed 13-11 by the Louisville Metro Council aims to tackle the city’s skyrocketing childhood obesity rate and worsening type II diabetes epidemic. This Ordinance follows the National Restaurant Association’s “Kids Live Well” Program.
Co-sponsor Councilwoman Vicki Welch (D-13) said, “Since restaurants are responsible for 25% of a child’s diet, this ordinance will be particularly effective in improving children’s health. Prevention of childhood obesity is also protecting our tax dollars from rising health costs of diabetes, tooth decay, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease.”
In the upcoming months, restaurants that serve meals aimed at children will be required to provide milk, non-dairy milk, water, sparkling water or less than 25 calories/8 ounces drinks with no added artificial sweeteners as the default beverage option. Customers will still be able to purchase sodas, juices and other sugary drinks upon request.
“Parents will now be given the opportunity to start the meal off right with healthy beverage and food options,” Co-sponsor Rick Blackwell said. “We hope most parents will stick with the healthier option, protecting their children from the long-term chronic problems associated with sugary drinks, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.”
Various studies have linked a daily sugary drink habit to a 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, a 27% increased risk of adult obesity and a 55% greater risk of childhood obesity, as well as higher incidences of heart disease, liver disease and metabolic disorder. Sugary drinks contribute directly to diabetes by spiking glucose, converting fructose into fat in the liver and spurring excess insulin production, wearing out the pancreas. Sugary drinks also contribute to weight gain by adding empty calories – void of fiber and nutrients – that do not contribute to fullness.
Councilman Blackwell and Councilwoman Welch met with many interested parties in drafting this ordinance and believe the final product protects parents’ abilities to make decisions for their children while also minimizes the onus on businesses to comply with the new law.
Today, 30% of Louisvillians, 24% of sixth graders, and 18 % of kindergartens are obese. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one-in-three children born today will have diabetes by 2050.
“This policy is a common sense measure to support parents’ efforts to protect their children’s health. While communities all over the country wrestle with the disastrous consequences of growing childhood obesity and diabetes epidemics, Louisville drew a line in the sand.” said Welch. “The Council showed the powerful role that cities can play in solving big problems. Now, the healthy choice is the easy choice.”
Louisville earned a bronze medal in an evaluation of whether its policies improve residents’ health and quality of life, according to the CityHealth initiative’s updated city ratings.
CityHealth, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente, offers a close look at whether the nation’s 40 largest cities have nine key policies in place that experts say help residents lead healthier lives and make communities thrive. For each of these nine policies, CityHealth awarded each city a gold, silver, bronze, or no medal, according to the quality of that policy. The group also awarded an overall medal to each city based on how many policy medals were earned.
The report shows which cities are leading the way on implementing policies shown to improve people’s health and quality of life. Louisville earned a bronze medal overall, meaning the city has a bronze, silver or gold medal in four of the nine CityHealth policies. Louisville is one of only five cities nationwide that increased its overall medal status in 2018. For more details on how Louisville performed in each policy area, please see the table below.
“Louisville has taken commendable steps toward giving everyone a fair shot at having a healthy, thriving life,” said Shelley Hearne, CityHealth’s president. “We hope this leadership continues. By adopting the gold standards of proven policies, Louisville can become the healthiest, most thriving place possible.”
CityHealth’s assessment provides more opportunities for Louisville to put policies in place to help make the city a more vibrant, prosperous place to live, and join 14 cities nationwide who have already earned a gold or silver medal. Louisville can show leadership by implementing these evidence-based policies that improve the well-being and quality of life for its residents.
CityHealth will update its ratings again next year. For more details on how Louisville stacks up against the other 40 cities, go to www.cityhealth.org.
CityHealth’s nine evidence-based policies address ways that cities can improve the health of their residents in areas of everyday life – from the workplace and school to housing and public transportation. Each policy is backed by evidence, supported by experts, and has a track record of bipartisan support. In addition to the medal ratings, CityHealth is available to provide technical assistance and support to cities as they advance these policies.
Photo: Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Service
With the arrival of warmer temperatures, KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living is once again teaming up with Louisville Metro Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens (OADC) to collect electric fans for seniors and persons with physical disabilities. The fans will be distributed to qualified individuals within the KIPDA region including Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Shelby, Oldham, Spencer, and Trimble Counties. Donations of new box fans will be collected through June 11 at:
KIPDA, 11520 Commonwealth Drive (Lou., KY 40299)
WLKY Studio, 1918 Mellwood Ave. (Lou, KY 40206)
Drop off hours are Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Monetary donations will also be accepted to purchase fans. Make checks made payable to KIPDA, Attn: Fan Fair Program and mail to the address on Commonwealth Drive listed above postmarked by June 11. If you would like to make special arrangements for a donation or need further information, please contact Sarah Teeters (502) 574-5092 at the OADC or Jennifer Craig (502) 266-5571 at KIPDA.
Last year, over 500 fans were distributed to residents in need thanks to fan or monetary donations given by community organizations, churches, businesses, and private citizens. Local station WLKY TV32 provided both on-air and on-line advertising, in addition to serving as one of the drop-off locations, and will provide similar support to this year’s efforts.
On June 16, a “Fan Fair” will be held from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Edison Center located at 701 W. Ormsby Ave. to distribute the collected fans to seniors 60 and older, as well as to individuals with physical disabilities, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Qualifications to receive a free fan will be:
- Person 60 years or older
- OR documentation verified by a physician of a physical disability
- Must be a resident of Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble or Bullitt Counties
- Proof of address and age will be required
- One fan per household
“We are excited to be partnering with Louisville Metro Office of Aging & Disabled Citizens again this year, helping older adults and persons with disabilities stay comfortable during the summer months, stated Barbara Gordon, director of the KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. “I am proud of all of the community partners who support this effort and help to make it happen.“
Coinciding with the Fan Fair will be a health/resource fair open to all ages to provide various health checks and information from local area resources. Louisville Metro Department of Public Health & Wellness and LMPD will be on hand to facilitate a prescription drug toss so that attendees can properly and safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications.
“Our annual fan drive and fan giveaway event goes beyond just fans; it provides another avenue for our teams to connect with some of our most vulnerable residents”, stated Gena Redmon Harris, director of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services which oversees the OADC. “We are so grateful for all of the fan and monetary donations and various kinds of community support, and are looking forward to another great event this year.”
For more information about the fan donations or Fan Fair, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or www.KIPDA.org.
An employee of Domino’s Pizza at 10000 Brownsboro Rd. and an employee of Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room at 9013 Taylorsville Rd. have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.
Customers who ate at this Domino’s from April 15, 2018 to April 28, 2018 and customers who ate at this Old Chicago from April 21, 2018 to May 5, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. While the risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating at either of these restaurants is low, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution. The hepatitis A outbreak remains centered among the homeless and those who use drugs.
When a food service worker is diagnosed with hepatitis A, he or she is immediately excluded from work and not allowed to return without release from his or her medical provider. Additionally, all employees at the establishment are vaccinated and disinfection and sanitation practices are followed. Domino’s scored 100 and 98-A on its last two health inspections. Old Chicago scored 96-A and 95-A on its last two health inspections.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 327 cases diagnosed in Louisville and nearly 27,000 vaccinated.
“While we have had a very small number of food workers diagnosed with hepatitis A in our community, there still has been NO foodborne transmission,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Also, our restaurant industry has really stepped up to the plate to get their workers immunized. About 5,000 local food service employees have been vaccinated against hepatitis A.”
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases,” Dr. Caloia added. “Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211. Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room customers with questions may also call the restaurant’s tollfree hotline at 1-844-944-0444.
An employee of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant at 13321 Shelbyville Rd. has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.
Customers who ate at this Texas Roadhouse from April 11, 2018 to April 25, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. While the risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating at this restaurant is low, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution. The hepatitis A outbreak remains centered among the homeless and those who use drugs.
When a food service worker is diagnosed with hepatitis A, he or she is immediately excluded from work and not allowed to return without release from his or her medical provider. Additionally, all employees at the establishment are vaccinated and disinfection and sanitation practices are followed. Texas Roadhouse scored 96-A and 97-A on its last two health inspections.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 327 cases diagnosed in Louisville and nearly 27,000 vaccinated.
“While we have had a very small number of food workers diagnosed with hepatitis A in our community, there still has been NO foodborne transmission,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Also, our restaurant industry has really stepped up to the plate to get their workers immunized. About 5,000 local food service employees have been vaccinated against hepatitis A.”
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases,” Dr. Caloia added. “Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
