Greg Davis

For many Kentuckians with dementia, medical interventions may seem like the only choice, but a new University of Kentucky study shows that prioritizing joy and engagement through enrichment activities is vital for the health of both residents and the caregivers who support them. Researchers from the School of Music in the UK College of Fine Arts and the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging investigated how complementary and supportive care programs (CSCPs) — like animal interactions, music therapy and group games — affect life in four different Kentucky care facilities. Dr. Greg talks with lead researcher Alaine E. Reschke-Hernández.

From childhood vaccine recommendation changes to a new food pyramid; guidelines and directives coming out at the federal level are enough to make your head spin. Dr. Greg talks with Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, about the politicization of public health and what reliable sources you should consult for your own health and well-being.

Because Medicare does not routinely cover hearing aids and Medicaid coverage can leave high out-of-pocket costs, many patients are unable to move forward with recommended treatment. Third year UK med student Evan Smith helped organize a 5K race to offset some of those costs. Dr. Greg talks with Evan about the third annual event and how you can participate.

The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center has treated the first patient in the U.S. with a new immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer, offering hope for patients whose cancers have stopped responding to other treatments. Dr. Greg talks with Markey Cancer Center medical oncologist Zhonglin Hao, M.D., Ph.D.

A partnership between the University of Kentucky’s College of Public Health and UK HealthCare is giving public health students a front-row seat to the real-world challenges Kentuckians face outside of hospital walls. That includes things like housing, transportation and food insecurity. Dr. Greg talks with Kylee Causey social needs coordinator at UK HealthCare, and Jessica Sass, executive director of population health at UK HealthCare.

February is Children's Dental Health Month. This week on Dr. Greg Davis on Medicine we welcome Dr Emily Winfrey from the UK College of Dentistry to talk about Kentucky's poor oral health ranking and the renewed effort by some politicians to pass legislation making water fluoridation optional in Kentucky communities.

February is American Heart Month, dedicated to raising awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. women. Dr. Greg talks with Nouran Sorour, M.D., associate professor of internal medicine in the UK College of Medicine and cardiologist at UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, about why heart disease is so often undiagnosed in women.

Antibiotics have long served as a foundation of modern veterinary medicine, especially in livestock animals. Yet a growing public health threat looms as bacteria evolve to evade these vital drugs. A new study from the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment reveals that antibiotic resistance in cattle-associated bacteria could have far-reaching implications for human, animal and environmental health. Dr. Greg talks with Yosra Helmy, associate professor of One Health and Infectious Diseases in the Department of Veterinary Science and One Health Center researcher, who led the study.

Imagine being able to see the invisible—amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and metabolic changes in the living brain. This is no longer science fiction; it’s reality at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Greg discusses this new cutting edge diagnostic tool with UK Sanders Brown Center on Aging researcher Dr. Gregory Jicha.

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and Dr. Greg talks with Dr. Patricio Meneses, Academic Dean of Allied Health and Nursing at Bluegrass Community College and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Jordan Hatchett about the prevention of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine.