Some Christian Co. health board members balk at director's idea of using $100,000 of $2.4 million reserve for recreational trail

The director of the Christian County Health Department urged its board to give $100,000 from reserves to fund a rail-to-trail project to provide residents with new opportunities for exercise.

Coverting old railroad beds to recreation trails could help improve Christian County's infrastructure to promote healthy living, which is needed because a study last year ranked Christian County 116th out of Kentucky's 120 counties in this area, said Health Department Director Mark Pyle.

The department has $2.4 million in reserve, but several board members opposed the idea, citing a budget shortfall this fiscal year, financial troubles with the school-nurse program and delays in Medicaid reimbursements, reports Nick Tabor of the Kentucky New Era.

The City of Hopkinsville hopes to raise $400,000 for the first phase of the trail project. A recreational trail would initiate a culture change and residents should have public resources equal to those of other regions, Mayor Dan Kemp told Taylor.

Pyle told Tabor the trail would help the health department accomplish its goal of advancing public health, and the reserve money isn't there for sitting on. He said he believes the board will agree to using the money for the project at its next meeting, April 22, after considering funding priorities.

The New Era endorsed the health department's contribution as a good investment in local health, which by law is the health board's responsibility. For a PDF of the editorial and the news story, click here.

Slap on sunscreen, avoid UV rays this Memorial Day Weekend

This Friday has been designated "Don't Fry Day," a reminder to sun worshippers to be mindful of the dangers of skin cancer on Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer recreation season.

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention strongly urges the use of sunscreen if in the sun, but also recommends seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing and avoiding getting a suntan or sunburn altogether. It also recommends extra caution if near the water or sand. "While most everyone enjoys a sunny day, keeping your skin safe from overexposure to UV radiation can be easy by practicing simple sun-safety tips," said Dr. Sandra I. Read, Council co-chair.

The Council also recommends consulting the UV Index forecast, which assess the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high).

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer in the United States, research-reporting news service Newswise reports. More than 2 million new cases are diagnosed each year, more than new cases of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. Though the incidence of many common cancers is falling, the incidence of melanoma, which can be deadly, continues to rise. It is one of the most common cancers in young adults ages 15 to 29. (Read more)