FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s state health leaders this month are steering public attention toward women’s health with an initiative that promotes simple daily habits, routine screenings and mental-health resources for pregnant and postpartum people.
Focus on prevention, daily choices and mental health
At the governor’s weekly press conference, Kentucky Health Secretary Dr. Steven Stack outlined the August installment of the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign, which highlights steps residents can take to improve long-term health.
The campaign encourages attainable targets intended for broad adoption, including:
- Eat at least two servings of fruits or vegetables every day.
- Exercise 30 minutes at least three times per week.
- Maintain social connections to support emotional well-being.
“Women have unique health needs at every stage of life, but staying healthy doesn’t have to be complicated,” Stack said. He added that “every healthy choice and every move contributes to stronger, healthier futures.”
“Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, and while every woman experiences stress differently, pregnancy and becoming a new parent can bring additional emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression and feelings of being overwhelmed,”
Stack stressed the need to address mental health as an integral part of care for women, particularly during pregnancy and the postpartum period. To support those needs, he pointed to the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, which provides free, confidential help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The campaign shared the hotline contact options: call or text 1-833-TLC-Mama or 1-833-852-6262.
Screenings and access to preventive services
Alongside lifestyle guidance, the initiative urges women to stay current on recommended preventive screenings. Stack specifically named screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer as important components of women’s preventive care.
For women who lack insurance or are underinsured, the campaign notes potential eligibility for low- or no-cost services through state programs. Stack referenced the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program as a resource that may help patients obtain breast and cervical cancer screenings.
| Recommended actions | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Two servings of fruit/vegetables daily | Supports nutrition and chronic disease prevention |
| 30 minutes of activity, 3× weekly | Improves cardiovascular fitness and mental health |
| Routine cancer screenings | Early detection can improve treatment outcomes |
The campaign also emphasizes the broader social determinants of health — including safety and freedom from violence — as essential elements of women’s well-being. State officials urged residents to use community and state resources when facing health or safety challenges.
Practical supports and public-health messaging
Our Healthy Kentucky Home is structured around small, achievable goals meant to be widely accessible. By pairing behavioral recommendations with information on available services and helplines, state leaders aim to reduce barriers to care and encourage early help-seeking for mental-health concerns.
While the initiative is state-focused, the themes it elevates — preventive screening, maternal mental-health support and attainable daily healthy behaviors — align with national public-health priorities for improving outcomes among women. The campaign supplies concrete contacts and programs for Kentuckians to use now, including the maternal mental-health hotline numbers and the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Program for eligible patients.
Officials encouraged residents to share information about these resources with friends, family and new parents to increase awareness and support community health.
