LEXINGTON, KY (FOX19) - A doctoral student at the College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Johnnie Woods, is conducting a survey of people in Kentucky that have a mental disorder.  

He has organized an online, confidential survey.  This research is for citizens of Kentucky; however, nobody is restricted from taking the survey.  The only restriction is that the person taking the survey be 18-70 years of age. No demographic questions are included. 

In his poster for the survey, Woods says "I need to know if a peer specialist can help. The peer specialist would be in the clinic. Peer specialists are people who have a mental illness. But peer specialists are getting well."

To participate, go on the Internet at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZF9YFPC.  You do not need to say who you are, just answer a few questions. The answers will be kept confidential.

BOONE  COUNTY, KY (FOX19) - Almost one-third of Northern Kentucky adults have delayed getting dental health care due to the cost, and one-quarter of them feel that their oral health is less than ideal, according to the Greater Cincinnati Community Health Status Survey. Each year, more than 2,500 emergency room visits in Northern Kentucky can be attributed to dental problems.

            A new project by the Northern Kentucky Health Department and the Boone County Fiscal Court aims to address oral health care access in the region. At its January 24 meeting, the fiscal court unanimously approved $1,500 in funding for the project, which will be used as a stipend for a public health graduate student intern.

EDGEWOOD, KY (FOX19) - Early diagnosis of HIV is critical to future treatment and prevention, particularly in communities that are disproportionately affected by the virus. For every one positive HIV test, it's estimated that between 10 and 300 additional cases of HIV infection can be prevented. In Kentucky, African Americans account for 33 percent of all HIV cases diagnosed in 2009, but are only 8 percent of the total population for the state, according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

In observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the Northern Kentucky Health Department will offer four opportunities for free, oral HIV testing from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the following locations: