FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joined the Kentucky Commission on Women (KCW) and officials from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) on Monday to release a new report on the status of women’s health in Kentucky.
“As we celebrate Women’s History Month, there is no better time to assess the status of women’s health in Kentucky,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “As someone whose life was saved by early detection through screenings, we should celebrate the advances that have been made for women’s health while also admitting there are severe deficits and far too many women cannot access the care they need and deserve. This work becomes more important as our state faces devastating cuts to Medicaid that will severely harm women’s health in the commonwealth.”
The report was developed in partnership with the Division of Women’s Health at CHFS and is a collection of public health data indicators related to Kentucky women, such as rates of insurance coverage, chronic disease prevalence, cancer mortality rates, mental health data, domestic violence rates, perinatal and maternal health indicators, and data related to the well-being of high school girls.
CHFS Secretary Dr. Steven Stack, noted, “Team Kentucky is committed to promoting high quality maternity care so all women and babies in our Commonwealth are healthy, well, and reach their full potential. Healthy moms and babies make for thriving Kentucky communities.”
Some examples of opportunities for improvement include:
–Kentucky has the highest cancer mortality rate in the nation.
–Nearly 22 percent of Kentucky women, ages 18-44, report their mental health was not good.
–Nearly one half of women experienced domestic violence or stalking during their lifetime.
–Nearly 1 in 10 Kentucky high school girls attempt suicide.
This release comes on the heels of the KCW’s 2024 Status of Women in Kentucky, which highlighted workforce rates, business ownership, earnings and education. During the research for that report, members of the KCW determined that a separate report should be focused on women’s health.
You can find the report in its entirety here.