The Bluegrass State is famous for breeding horses, tobacco farms, fine bourbon and the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky covers 39,728 square miles, with a 2010 estimated population of 4,339,367 people – with 1,815,597 people living in rural Kentucky (USDA-ERS). Frankfort is the state capital. The state’s largest cities are Louisville, Lexington-Fayetteville and Owensboro. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 87.8% of the state’s population is white, 7.8% is Black/African-American, and 3.1% is of Hispanic/Latino origin (2010).
There are 95 hospitals in Kentucky, 30 of which are identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical Access Hospitals (Sept. 2010). There are 147 Rural Health Clinics in Kentucky (Kaiser, 2012) and 19 Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services at 84 sites in the state (Kaiser, 2010). 16.0% of Kentucky residents lack health insurance (Kaiser, 2008-2009).
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Kentucky residents in 2009 was $32,258, although rural per-capita income lagged at $27,149. Estimates from 2010 indicate a poverty rate of 22.9% exists in rural Kentucky, compared to 16.0% in urban areas of the state. 2010 ACS data reports that 25.7% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 14.1% of urban populations. The unemployment rate in rural Kentucky is 11.2%, while in urban Kentucky, it is 10.0% (USDA-ERS, 2010).
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: State & County QuickFacts; USDA Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets; Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts; Flex Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
Federal government
Supports economic and social development in all of West Virginia and parts of twelve other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Community Action Kentucky (CAK)
State/regional organization
Works to build and strengthen the network of Kentucky's Community Action Agencies resulting in the improvement in the lives of the people they serve.
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Kentucky
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
Institute for Rural Journalism & Community Issues (IRJCI)
National organization
A multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, multi-state effort, based at the University of Kentucky to help non-metropolitan journalists define the public agenda for their communities, grasp the local impact of regional and national issues, and interpret rural issues for national media.
Kentucky Area Health Education Centers (AHEC)
State/regional organization
Works to improve the recruitment, distribution and retention of health care professionals (particularly in Primary Care) in medically underserved areas of Kentucky. Their website provides information on and contact details for each of the eight regional AHECs in the state.
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
State government
Works to improve the health of Kentucky residents.
Kentucky Child Support Enforcement (CSE)
State government
Provides assistance to parents with minor children seeking financial support from a noncustodial parent.
Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA)
State/regional organization
Represents hospitals, related health care organizations, and integrated health care systems dedicated to sustaining and improving the health status of the citizens of Kentucky.
Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA)
State/regional organization
Determines and promotes the mutual interests of its members with a mission of promoting access to comprehensive, community-oriented primary health care services for the underserved.
Kentucky Regional Extension Center (KY REC)
State/regional organization
Kentucky State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
Kentucky Rural Health Association (KRHA)
State/regional organization
Educates providers and consumers on rural health issues and advocates actions by private and public leaders to assure equitable access to health care for rural Kentuckians.
Kentucky State Office of Rural Health
State government
Partners with hospitals, community organizations, and non-profit groups, in promoting health care in rural Kentucky.
Part of the Center of Excellence in Rural Health run by the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA)
State/regional organization
Promotes positive changes in programs and policies that affect large numbers of children in Kentucky.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region (NN/LM-GMR)
State/regional organization
Works to improve access to health information for health professionals, librarians and members of the public in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Rural Cancer Prevention Center (RCPC)
State/regional organization
Funded through the CDC Prevention Research Centers program, the RCPC works as an interdependent network of community, academic, and public health professionals and researchers to reduce the health disparities associated with cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer throughout the Kentucky River Health District.
Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC)
State/regional organization
One of four regional rural development centers in the nation. Works to strengthen the region's 29 land-grant institutions in addressing rural development issues. Serves a 14 state area in the Southern region which includes TX, LA, AR, OK, AL, MS, GA, FL, KY, SC, NC, VA, and TN.
Tri-State Regional Extension Center: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana
State/regional organization
Southwestern Ohio, northeastern Kentucky, and south-central Indiana State Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) that helps health care providers become meaningful users of electronic health records by providing information and technical assistance.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Kentucky (HUD)
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research (UKCPR)
Academic/Research
Research institute focused on a multidisciplinary approach to the causes, consequences, and correlates of poverty and inequality in the southern United States. One of three federally designated Area Poverty Research Centers.
University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard
State/regional organization
Created to address the unique and growing problems of rural health. They offer health professions education, health policy research, health care service and community engagement.
USDA Rural Development Kentucky State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
Tools
ERS State Fact Sheet: Kentucky
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Kentucky AgrAbility Project
Web site
Provides education and technical assistance to Kentucky farm women, older farmers, farm children, minorities, and limited resource farmers who face the challenges of a disability.
Kentucky Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHIE)
Web site
Facilitates the safe, secure electronic exchange of patient health information among participating providers and organizations throughout Kentucky. Website offers information on associated technology and the state's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.
Kentucky KIDS COUNT Data Center (KCDC)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Kentucky QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Kentucky State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Kentucky
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Greater Midwest Region: Kentucky Resources
Web site
Overviews the state, and provides links to state agencies, health associations, and other resources for Kentucky.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Funding
Gannett Foundation Community Action Grants
Community action grant priorities include education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.
Humana Foundation Community Grants
The Humana Foundation supports charitable activities that promote healthy lives and communities.
Kentucky State Loan Repayment Program
A 50/50 matching program that increases availability of primary health care services through repayment of education loans to eligible health professionals practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Documents, Reports and Other Publications
Accuracy of Referral for Portable Lipid Analyzers in an Old Order Mennonite Population
Author(s): Maria Eve Main, Susan Jones, Cathy Abell
Examines an old order Mennonite population through a comparison to a national standardized reference laboratory, regarding cholesterol, and the health care services in this community located in south central Kentucky.
Journal citation: Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages: 55-64
Date: 09 / 2010
Customizing Solutions for Rural Appalachia: Hazard Perry County Community Ministries
Author(s): Gerry Roll
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Describes how a Continuum of Care operating in rural Kentucky creates innovative plans to combat homelessness and provide services in rural Appalachia.
Date: 2007
Demographic and Economic Profile: Kentucky
Author(s): Kathleen K. Miller
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, income, and more. Includes maps and graphics.
Date: 2008
Diagnosis: Unhealthy Economy
Author(s): Alicia Carmichael
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health-Hazard
Illustrates the impact of the economic recession on Kentucky's health care providers.
Journal citation: Kentucky Rural Health Update Pages: 3
Date: 01 / 2009
Health Care Hits the Road
Sponsoring organization: Kentucky Rural Health Association
Discusses the challenges in providing home health services and hospice in rural Kentucky.
Journal citation: Kentucky Rural Health Update Pages: 3
Date: 05 / 2006
Housing in the Lower Mississippi Delta
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
Discusses the housing needs of the Lower Mississippi Delta that will require multi-level approaches to address the social, political, and economic infrastructure of the region.
Date: 10 / 2010
KYHealth Choices Medicaid Reform: Key Program Changes and Questions
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
Kentucky obtained a state plan amendment for its Medicaid program, becoming one of the first states to utilize new options available through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
Date: 07 / 2006
Making it Work: Combating Rural Homelessness
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
This entire issue of Rural Voices is dedicated to the topic of rural homelessness. Highlights some of the innovative ways rural homeless providers are accessing and using
resources in Michigan, Minnesota, California, Georgia, and Kentucky.
Date: 2007
Rural Dropout Problem: An Invisible Achievement Gap
Author(s): Jerry Johnson, Marty Strange, Karen Madden
Sponsoring organization: Rural School and Community Trust
Reviews high school dropout rates and related factors in rural high schools throughout 15 Southern and Southwestern states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia.
Date: 2010
Small Business Profile: Kentucky
Sponsoring organization: Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 02 / 2011
Southeastern Kentuckians Remain Optimistic Through Great Recession: Growing Concerns about Sprawl, Housing, and Recreational Opportunities
Author(s): Jessica D. Ulrich
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Investigates how perceptions of socioeconomic and environmental issues in the economically vulnerable rural region of Southeastern Kentucky have changed during the recession from 2007-2009.
Date: 2011
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Journals
Kentucky Rural Health Update
Quarterly newsletter for both the Kentucky State Office of Rural Health and the Kentucky Rural Health Association. Since the Winter 2010 issue, it is available online.
Success Stories
Focus on Telehealth
A home-focused technology project in northeastern Kentucky is leading to improved patient outcomes.
Rural Health Outreach Project (Hazard, Kentucky)
This project was designed to improve access to mental health, primary care, and other necessary services such as education, social services, housing, and job assistance for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker Program
The Vanderbilt Center for Health Services’ Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) program provides early intervention services to low income families in Nashville as well as other urban and rural areas in Appalachia and the Mississippi delta, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
|
