Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Preschoolers in surgery for a mouthful of cavities; New York Times, March 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: The number of preschoolers requiring extensive dental work suggests that many other parents make the same mistake. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted an increase, the first in 40 years, in the number of preschoolers with cavities in a study five years ago. But dentists nationwide say they are seeing more preschoolers at all income levels with 6 to 10 cavities or more. The level of decay, they added, is so severe that they often recommend using general anesthesia because young children are unlikely to sit through such extensive procedures while they are awake.
2. Digital records may not cut health costs, study cautions; New York Times, March 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Computerized patient records are unlikely to cut health care costs and may actually encourage doctors to order expensive tests more often, a study published on Monday concludes.
Education
1. Minorities get harsher discipline in U.S. schools, survey shows; Bloomberg.com, March 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Black children made up 18 percent of students in a survey of U.S. schools while accounting for 35 percent of those suspended once, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Black students are more than 3 1/2 times as likely to be suspended or expelled than their white classmates, the survey showed.
2. California schools establish 'early warning system' to identify potential dropouts; Huffingtonpost.com, March 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Some school districts in California are working to establish an "early warning system" to identify middle grade students who are at risk of dropping out, and then to vigorously intervene so they don't.
Race
1. Autism not diagnosed as early in minorities; Las Vegas Review-Journal, March 4, 2012
Brief Introduction: Landa's preliminary research suggests that even when diagnosed in toddlerhood, minority youngsters have more severe developmental delays than their white counterparts. She says cultural differences in how parents view developmental milestones, and how they interact with doctors, may play a role.
Showing posts with label Friday roundup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Friday roundup. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Fewer Americans have employer- based health insurance; Gallup.com, February 14, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Americans got their health insurance from an employer in 2011 (44.6%) than in 2010 (45.8%), continuing the downward trend Gallup and Healthways have documented since 2008. As employer-based health insurance has declined, the percentage of Americans who are uninsured has increased, rising to 17.1% this year, the highest seen since 2008.
2. Risk of preterm birth rises for Hispanic women the longer they're in the U.S.; U.S. News.com, February 9, 2012
Brief Introduction: The longer Hispanic women live in the United States, the more likely they are to have a preterm birth, a new study says. Researchers analyzed data from 2,141 Hispanic women with a prior live birth who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.
Education
1. Suspended from school in early grades; Washington Post, February 12, 2012
Brief Introduction: Thousands of elementary students were suspended from public schools last year in Washington and its suburbs, some of them so young that they were learning about out-of-school discipline before they could spell or multiply.
2. Detroit to Parents: Time to get involved in education; NPR.org, February 7, 2012
Brief Introduction: In Detroit, officials say they are trying everything they can to revive the city's public school system, from replacing dilapidated buildings to hiring new school leaders. Detroit Public Schools is also focusing on a neglected piece of the education equation: parents.
Race
1. Labor force growth slows, Hispanic share grows; Pew Research Center, February 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Hispanics will account for three-quarters of the growth in the nation’s labor force from 2010 to 2020, according to new projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One major reason is that the Hispanic population is growing rapidly due to births and immigration. At the same time, the aging of the non-Hispanic white population is expected to reduce their numbers in the labor force.
2. Why Latinos aren't saving for retirement; Forbes.com, February 14 ,2012
Brief Introduction: While all populations found retirement planning to be an overwhelming task, Hispanics felt the least prepared. A hefty 54 percent say they felt “not very” or “not at all” prepared. This compares with 50 percent of African-Americans, 48 percent of white and 44 percent of Asian respondents who said they did not feel prepared.
Health
1. Fewer Americans have employer- based health insurance; Gallup.com, February 14, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Americans got their health insurance from an employer in 2011 (44.6%) than in 2010 (45.8%), continuing the downward trend Gallup and Healthways have documented since 2008. As employer-based health insurance has declined, the percentage of Americans who are uninsured has increased, rising to 17.1% this year, the highest seen since 2008.
2. Risk of preterm birth rises for Hispanic women the longer they're in the U.S.; U.S. News.com, February 9, 2012
Brief Introduction: The longer Hispanic women live in the United States, the more likely they are to have a preterm birth, a new study says. Researchers analyzed data from 2,141 Hispanic women with a prior live birth who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006.
Education
1. Suspended from school in early grades; Washington Post, February 12, 2012
Brief Introduction: Thousands of elementary students were suspended from public schools last year in Washington and its suburbs, some of them so young that they were learning about out-of-school discipline before they could spell or multiply.
2. Detroit to Parents: Time to get involved in education; NPR.org, February 7, 2012
Brief Introduction: In Detroit, officials say they are trying everything they can to revive the city's public school system, from replacing dilapidated buildings to hiring new school leaders. Detroit Public Schools is also focusing on a neglected piece of the education equation: parents.
Race
1. Labor force growth slows, Hispanic share grows; Pew Research Center, February 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Hispanics will account for three-quarters of the growth in the nation’s labor force from 2010 to 2020, according to new projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One major reason is that the Hispanic population is growing rapidly due to births and immigration. At the same time, the aging of the non-Hispanic white population is expected to reduce their numbers in the labor force.
2. Why Latinos aren't saving for retirement; Forbes.com, February 14 ,2012
Brief Introduction: While all populations found retirement planning to be an overwhelming task, Hispanics felt the least prepared. A hefty 54 percent say they felt “not very” or “not at all” prepared. This compares with 50 percent of African-Americans, 48 percent of white and 44 percent of Asian respondents who said they did not feel prepared.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Hospitals mine patient records in search of customers; USA Today, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The non-profit facility is one of a growing number of hospitals using their patients' health and financial records to help pitch their most lucrative services, such as cancer, heart and orthopedic care. As part of these direct mail campaigns, they are also buying detailed information about local residents compiled by consumer marketing firms — everything from age, income and marital status to shopping habits and whether residents have children or pets at home.
2. New York City defends health ads that frighten the viewer; The New York Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The city’s health department uses no sugar-coating in its latest ads, which feature images of overweight people whose mobility is impaired to warn of the dangers of ever-growing portions of unhealthy food and soft drinks.
3. For diabetes patients, oases in the food desert; Chicago Tribune, February 1, 2012
Brief Introduction: Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009, Moore, 58, has reduced her blood glucose levels significantly through healthy eating and daily exercise. But a lack of supermarkets in her North Chicago neighborhood makes it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet — a crucial ingredient in controlling the disease.
Education
1. School reform organization gets average grades; Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Over the last decade, a nonprofit teaching academy with strong political ties has launched an education revolution inside Chicago Public Schools, tearing down and rebuilding some of the city's worst-performing schools.
2. Settling school disputes before they escalate; Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Such programs have been around for decades, but at Maclay, peer mediation has only recently become one of many strategies to reduce the number of violent incidents. Since the program began in 2010, it has steadily helpe
d lower the number of instructional days lost to suspensions but has yet to make strides when it comes to physical altercations.
Race
1. For some black women, economy and willingness to aid family strains finances; Washington Post, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Across the country, black women are bearing a heavier responsibility for family and friends than their white counterparts, even as they struggle to emerge from an economic downturn that has hit them harder. A survey by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that black women have more trouble paying their bills or getting a loan than white women. And they are trying to regain their footing in a world where more than half feel as though they do not have the skills and education to compete for a job.
2. Diversified Americans resisting census race labels; The Seattle Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: When the 2010 census asked people to classify themselves by race, more than 21.7 million — at least 1 in 14 — went beyond the standard labels and wrote in such terms as "Arab," "Haitian," "Mexican" and "multiracial."
Health
1. Hospitals mine patient records in search of customers; USA Today, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The non-profit facility is one of a growing number of hospitals using their patients' health and financial records to help pitch their most lucrative services, such as cancer, heart and orthopedic care. As part of these direct mail campaigns, they are also buying detailed information about local residents compiled by consumer marketing firms — everything from age, income and marital status to shopping habits and whether residents have children or pets at home.
2. New York City defends health ads that frighten the viewer; The New York Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: The city’s health department uses no sugar-coating in its latest ads, which feature images of overweight people whose mobility is impaired to warn of the dangers of ever-growing portions of unhealthy food and soft drinks.
3. For diabetes patients, oases in the food desert; Chicago Tribune, February 1, 2012
Brief Introduction: Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009, Moore, 58, has reduced her blood glucose levels significantly through healthy eating and daily exercise. But a lack of supermarkets in her North Chicago neighborhood makes it difficult to maintain a nutritious diet — a crucial ingredient in controlling the disease.
Education
1. School reform organization gets average grades; Chicago Tribune, February 6, 2012
Brief Introduction: Over the last decade, a nonprofit teaching academy with strong political ties has launched an education revolution inside Chicago Public Schools, tearing down and rebuilding some of the city's worst-performing schools.
2. Settling school disputes before they escalate; Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Such programs have been around for decades, but at Maclay, peer mediation has only recently become one of many strategies to reduce the number of violent incidents. Since the program began in 2010, it has steadily helpe
d lower the number of instructional days lost to suspensions but has yet to make strides when it comes to physical altercations.Race
1. For some black women, economy and willingness to aid family strains finances; Washington Post, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: Across the country, black women are bearing a heavier responsibility for family and friends than their white counterparts, even as they struggle to emerge from an economic downturn that has hit them harder. A survey by the Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that black women have more trouble paying their bills or getting a loan than white women. And they are trying to regain their footing in a world where more than half feel as though they do not have the skills and education to compete for a job.
2. Diversified Americans resisting census race labels; The Seattle Times, February 5, 2012
Brief Introduction: When the 2010 census asked people to classify themselves by race, more than 21.7 million — at least 1 in 14 — went beyond the standard labels and wrote in such terms as "Arab," "Haitian," "Mexican" and "multiracial."
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Minority males in California: Oakland hearings explore health of population; Huffingtonpost.com, January 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Today's hearing is being convened by the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California. Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, D-Oakland, said he formed the committee to examine the adverse conditions that some black, Latino and Asian boys experience and their effects on state resources and agencies. It also will look at the connections among issues like health, foster care, truancy, school dropouts, unemployment and incarceration.
2. Appendicitis racial disparities mostly unexplained; Chicago Tribune, January 18, 2012
Brief Introduction: Poverty and unfavorable health insurance account for only a small portion of the gap in the number of white versus Hispanic or black children who end up with a burst appendix, according to a new study.
3. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Education
1. Black, Latino students perform at levels of 30 years ago; HuffingtonPost.com January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: Educators are expressing alarm that the performance gap between minority and white high school students continues to expand across the United States, with minority teenagers performing at academic levels equal to or lower than those of 30 years ago.
2. Many Michigan kids living in poverty, report finds; Detroit Free Press, January 24, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Michigan teens are having babies or dropping out of school, and educational benchmarks for some of the state's youngest students have improved, according to the new Kids Count report.
Race
1. Survey paints portrait of black women in America; The Washington Post, January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: In a new nationwide survey conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation, a complex portrait emerges of black women who feel confident but vulnerable, who have high self-esteem and see physical beauty as important, who find career success more vital to them than marriage. The survey, which includes interviews with more than 800 black women, represents the most extensive exploration of the lives and views of African American women in decades.
2. More Americans uninsured in 2011; Gallup.com, January 24, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic Americans continue to be the most likely to be uninsured, with more than 40% going without health coverage in 2011, the highest Gallup has found for any key group since it began tracking in 2008. More than 30% of low-income Americans were uninsured in 2011 -- a figure that has been rising since 2008, when it was 26.4%.
Health
1. Minority males in California: Oakland hearings explore health of population; Huffingtonpost.com, January 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Today's hearing is being convened by the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California. Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, D-Oakland, said he formed the committee to examine the adverse conditions that some black, Latino and Asian boys experience and their effects on state resources and agencies. It also will look at the connections among issues like health, foster care, truancy, school dropouts, unemployment and incarceration.
2. Appendicitis racial disparities mostly unexplained; Chicago Tribune, January 18, 2012
Brief Introduction: Poverty and unfavorable health insurance account for only a small portion of the gap in the number of white versus Hispanic or black children who end up with a burst appendix, according to a new study.
3. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Education
1. Black, Latino students perform at levels of 30 years ago; HuffingtonPost.com January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: Educators are expressing alarm that the performance gap between minority and white high school students continues to expand across the United States, with minority teenagers performing at academic levels equal to or lower than those of 30 years ago.
2. Many Michigan kids living in poverty, report finds; Detroit Free Press, January 24, 2012
Brief Introduction: Fewer Michigan teens are having babies or dropping out of school, and educational benchmarks for some of the state's youngest students have improved, according to the new Kids Count report.
Race
1. Survey paints portrait of black women in America; The Washington Post, January 23, 2012
Brief Introduction: In a new nationwide survey conducted by The Washington Post and the Kaiser Family Foundation, a complex portrait emerges of black women who feel confident but vulnerable, who have high self-esteem and see physical beauty as important, who find career success more vital to them than marriage. The survey, which includes interviews with more than 800 black women, represents the most extensive exploration of the lives and views of African American women in decades.
2. More Americans uninsured in 2011; Gallup.com, January 24, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic Americans continue to be the most likely to be uninsured, with more than 40% going without health coverage in 2011, the highest Gallup has found for any key group since it began tracking in 2008. More than 30% of low-income Americans were uninsured in 2011 -- a figure that has been rising since 2008, when it was 26.4%.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
2. Detroit Residents' stress still higher than healthy; The Sacramento Bee, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: Although reported stress levels have dipped in Detroit since last year, Detroit residents still experience high stress levels, reporting an average stress level of 5.2 on a 10-point scale. This stress level is higher than what they considered healthy (3.6 on a 10-point scale). Even with lowered reported stress levels, 75 percent of Detroit residents report that the economy is a significant cause of stress. And 73 percent said work is a significant cause of stress. And more than one-third (38 percent) said they are dissatisfied with their work, a number that is substantially greater than reported by Americans nationally (25 percent).
Education
1. AP interview: Winfrey celebrates 1st graduates; Boston.com, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Winfrey spoke Friday on the eve of the first graduation at her school. Of the 75 students who started at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007, 72 who will graduate Saturday. All are headed to universities in South Africa and the United States to pursue such studies as medicine, law, engineering and economics.
2. Black students in Jefferson Parish unfairly arrested, complaint says; Nola.com, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: A complaint filed Wednesday on behalf of four Jefferson Parish public school students and their families accuses the school system of unfairly subjecting African American students to arrests and seizures. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the 20-page complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
3. Arizona governor wants searchable teacher-discipline database; Education Week, January 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she wants to encourage greater involvement by parents in their children's education, and evidently that includes giving parents easy access to teachers' disciplinary records. The Republican governor proposed creating "searchable database" for parents" that would allow them to research the licensing background and disciplinary actions teachers have faced. She also says she wants to change the process through which teachers can be decertified.
Race
1. For many Latinos, race is more culture than color; The New York Times, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: More than 18 million Latinos checked this “other” box in the 2010 census, up from 14.9 million in 2000. It was an indicator of the sharp disconnect between how Latinos view themselves and how the government wants to count them. Many Latinos argue that the country’s race categories — indeed, the government’s very conception of identity — do not fit them.
2. Latino families battling childhood obesity; Minnesota Public Radio, January 16, 2011
Brief Introduction: Samantha is among the millions of Latino children who weigh too much. In urban and rural areas across the United States, Latino children are more likely than their non-Latino white peers to be overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Nearly 40 percent of Latino children in the United States are overweight or obese.
Health
1. Little change in U.S. obesity rates in recent years; Reuters.com, January 17, 2012
Brief Introduction: Government researchers found that in 2009 and 2010, about one in three adults and one in six kids and teens were obese. The rates represent no change from 2007 and 2008 figures, and only a slight increase among specific demographics over rates from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
2. Detroit Residents' stress still higher than healthy; The Sacramento Bee, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: Although reported stress levels have dipped in Detroit since last year, Detroit residents still experience high stress levels, reporting an average stress level of 5.2 on a 10-point scale. This stress level is higher than what they considered healthy (3.6 on a 10-point scale). Even with lowered reported stress levels, 75 percent of Detroit residents report that the economy is a significant cause of stress. And 73 percent said work is a significant cause of stress. And more than one-third (38 percent) said they are dissatisfied with their work, a number that is substantially greater than reported by Americans nationally (25 percent).
Education
1. AP interview: Winfrey celebrates 1st graduates; Boston.com, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: Winfrey spoke Friday on the eve of the first graduation at her school. Of the 75 students who started at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007, 72 who will graduate Saturday. All are headed to universities in South Africa and the United States to pursue such studies as medicine, law, engineering and economics.
2. Black students in Jefferson Parish unfairly arrested, complaint says; Nola.com, January 11, 2012
Brief Introduction: A complaint filed Wednesday on behalf of four Jefferson Parish public school students and their families accuses the school system of unfairly subjecting African American students to arrests and seizures. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the 20-page complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.
3. Arizona governor wants searchable teacher-discipline database; Education Week, January 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer says she wants to encourage greater involvement by parents in their children's education, and evidently that includes giving parents easy access to teachers' disciplinary records. The Republican governor proposed creating "searchable database" for parents" that would allow them to research the licensing background and disciplinary actions teachers have faced. She also says she wants to change the process through which teachers can be decertified.
Race
1. For many Latinos, race is more culture than color; The New York Times, January 13, 2012
Brief Introduction: More than 18 million Latinos checked this “other” box in the 2010 census, up from 14.9 million in 2000. It was an indicator of the sharp disconnect between how Latinos view themselves and how the government wants to count them. Many Latinos argue that the country’s race categories — indeed, the government’s very conception of identity — do not fit them.
2. Latino families battling childhood obesity; Minnesota Public Radio, January 16, 2011
Brief Introduction: Samantha is among the millions of Latino children who weigh too much. In urban and rural areas across the United States, Latino children are more likely than their non-Latino white peers to be overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Nearly 40 percent of Latino children in the United States are overweight or obese.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. 1 of 7 state residents lacks health insurance; The Seattle Times, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: The number of people in Washington state without health insurance has risen sharply since the end of 2008 and is expected to reach 1 million by the end of the year, according to a new report from state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler
2. Wisconsin gets OK for some Medicaid cuts; Businessweek.com, December 9, 2011
Brief Introduction: Gov. Scott Walker's administration received preliminary approval Friday from the federal government for some Medicaid cuts it sought to balance a budget shortfall, but a final determination won't come until later, raising the possibility 53,000 people may lose coverage in the meantime.
Education
1. Judge rules Colorado education law unconstitutional; Reuters, December 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: A Colorado judge ruled on Friday that the state's education law is unconstitutional because it underfunds public schools and fails to provide a "thorough and uniform" education to all students.
2. Safety violations found at Head Start Centers; Boston.com, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's the kind of stuff that gives moms nightmares: a machete near a play area, household chemicals accessible to preschoolers, and instructors teaching without a criminal background check. These violations and others were found at Head Start centers across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department.
Race
1. Black women were hit hard with job losses in economic crisis; Washington Post, December 11, 2011
Brief Introduction: According to a recent study by the National Women’s Law Center, black women have lost more jobs during the recovery — 258,000 — than they did during the recession — 233,000. Put another way, black women represented 12.5 percent of all women workers in June 2009. But between then and this June, black women lost 42.2 percent of jobs lost by women overall.
2. New Frisco ISD program tackles black student's low test scores; CW33, December 12, 2011
Brief Introduction: African-American students within the Frisco Independent School District do just as well as their White and Hispanic peers on state TAKS tests. But when it comes to college entrance exams, the failure rate for black students in FISD is almost twice as high.
Health
1. 1 of 7 state residents lacks health insurance; The Seattle Times, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: The number of people in Washington state without health insurance has risen sharply since the end of 2008 and is expected to reach 1 million by the end of the year, according to a new report from state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler
2. Wisconsin gets OK for some Medicaid cuts; Businessweek.com, December 9, 2011
Brief Introduction: Gov. Scott Walker's administration received preliminary approval Friday from the federal government for some Medicaid cuts it sought to balance a budget shortfall, but a final determination won't come until later, raising the possibility 53,000 people may lose coverage in the meantime.
Education
1. Judge rules Colorado education law unconstitutional; Reuters, December 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: A Colorado judge ruled on Friday that the state's education law is unconstitutional because it underfunds public schools and fails to provide a "thorough and uniform" education to all students.
2. Safety violations found at Head Start Centers; Boston.com, December 13, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's the kind of stuff that gives moms nightmares: a machete near a play area, household chemicals accessible to preschoolers, and instructors teaching without a criminal background check. These violations and others were found at Head Start centers across the country, according to a report released Tuesday by the inspector general of the Health and Human Services Department.
Race
1. Black women were hit hard with job losses in economic crisis; Washington Post, December 11, 2011
Brief Introduction: According to a recent study by the National Women’s Law Center, black women have lost more jobs during the recovery — 258,000 — than they did during the recession — 233,000. Put another way, black women represented 12.5 percent of all women workers in June 2009. But between then and this June, black women lost 42.2 percent of jobs lost by women overall.
2. New Frisco ISD program tackles black student's low test scores; CW33, December 12, 2011
Brief Introduction: African-American students within the Frisco Independent School District do just as well as their White and Hispanic peers on state TAKS tests. But when it comes to college entrance exams, the failure rate for black students in FISD is almost twice as high.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Study: More evidence links specific genes to ADHD; USA Today, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Variations in genes involved in brain signaling pathways appear to be linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. The findings suggest that drugs that act on these pathways may offer a new treatment option for ADHD patients with the gene variants, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers said.
2. Too few doctors may be telling parents their kids are overweight; Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Parents can sometimes be clueless about the fact that their kids are too heavy, but doctors may not be steering them in the right direction. A study finds that less than a fourth of parents recollect their healthcare providers telling them their children were overweight.
Education
1. Study: Phys. Ed., recess mandates boost school physical activity time; Education Week, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Schools are more likely to offer students 150 minutes of physical education per week if located in a state or district that mandates that level of P.E., according to a study published online today in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
2. Education a fresh start for those in poverty; Marionstar.com, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Wiseman, 20, is among students enrolled at Marion County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates. Its students refer to it as their second chance, and sometimes as their only hope as many struggle to not fall into a cycle of poverty.
Race
1. Postal service cutbacks to hurt blacks; Chicago Tribune, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: The U.S. Postal Service's announcement Monday that it plans to close 252 mail processing centers and trim 28,000 jobs to fend off possible bankruptcy is part of a growing trend of shrinking government employment opportunities. For its workforce, which is disproportionately composed of African-Americans, the news means a lot more than the prospect of slower mail delivery.
2. Nudging Latinos toward math and science; Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: For Chicago-area educators such as Adrianzen, empowering Latino boys and girls to enroll in and excel in math and science classes is important to combating relatively high absenteeism and dropout rates, low college enrollment rates and disproportionately low numbers of minorities working in STEM careers.
Health
1. Study: More evidence links specific genes to ADHD; USA Today, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Variations in genes involved in brain signaling pathways appear to be linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study. The findings suggest that drugs that act on these pathways may offer a new treatment option for ADHD patients with the gene variants, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers said.
2. Too few doctors may be telling parents their kids are overweight; Los Angeles Times, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Parents can sometimes be clueless about the fact that their kids are too heavy, but doctors may not be steering them in the right direction. A study finds that less than a fourth of parents recollect their healthcare providers telling them their children were overweight.
Education
1. Study: Phys. Ed., recess mandates boost school physical activity time; Education Week, December 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Schools are more likely to offer students 150 minutes of physical education per week if located in a state or district that mandates that level of P.E., according to a study published online today in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
2. Education a fresh start for those in poverty; Marionstar.com, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Wiseman, 20, is among students enrolled at Marion County Jobs for Ohio's Graduates. Its students refer to it as their second chance, and sometimes as their only hope as many struggle to not fall into a cycle of poverty.
Race
1. Postal service cutbacks to hurt blacks; Chicago Tribune, December 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: The U.S. Postal Service's announcement Monday that it plans to close 252 mail processing centers and trim 28,000 jobs to fend off possible bankruptcy is part of a growing trend of shrinking government employment opportunities. For its workforce, which is disproportionately composed of African-Americans, the news means a lot more than the prospect of slower mail delivery.
2. Nudging Latinos toward math and science; Chicago Tribune, December 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: For Chicago-area educators such as Adrianzen, empowering Latino boys and girls to enroll in and excel in math and science classes is important to combating relatively high absenteeism and dropout rates, low college enrollment rates and disproportionately low numbers of minorities working in STEM careers.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. More kids skip school shots in 8 states; Usatoday.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: More parents are opting out of school shots for their kids. In eight states now, more than 1 in 20 public school kindergartners aren't getting all the vaccines required for attendance, an Associated Press analysis found.
2. Medicare in America: "It has to get better"; CNN Money, November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: As administrator of Medicare and Medicaid, Donald Berwick has been in charge of paying for the health care of nearly one in three Americans. He has also had an important role in implementing last year's health reform law, which uses the Medicare system as a big lever to change how doctors and hospitals do business, in hopes of containing costs.
3. Pastor fights HIV stigma in Southern town; CNN.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's a problem all across the Bible Belt. In 2007 -- the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the rate of diagnosed AIDS cases in the Southeastern United States was much higher than in other regions of the country: 9.2 per 100,000 people, versus 2.5 in the Midwest, 3.9 in the West and 5.6 in the Northeast.
Education
1. Detroit schools face fines over truancy; UPI.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: The Detroit News reported Monday the documents it obtained show the financially struggling school district could lose about $25.9 million because attendance fell below the state minimum of 75 percent on 46 days last school year.
2. Homeless children snap their dreams; Detroit News, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: When asked what she wishes for, Julie, a 10-year-old resident of a homeless shelter, said she wants her mother to feel better. Nine-year-old Dearon, also a shelter resident, wants to go to college. Diamond, age 7, hopes to make her mother proud. The children were among 15 Detroit kids living in the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries shelter who articulated their hopes and dreams by taking photographs as part of the nationally acclaimed Pictures of Hope project.
Race
1. As public sector sheds jobs, Blacks are hit hardest; The New York Times, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: Mr. Buckley is one of tens of thousands of once solidly middle-class African-American government workers — bus drivers in Chicago, police officers and firefighters in Cleveland, nurses and doctors in Florida — who have been laid off since the recession ended in June 2009. Such job losses have blunted gains made in employment and wealth during the previous decade and undermined the stability of neighborhoods where there are now fewer black professionals who own homes or who get up every morning to go to work.
2. Ruling on Ala. immigration law averts exodus, groups say; USA Today; November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: Civil rights groups say a judge's decision to halt part of Alabama's strict illegal immigration enforcement law averted a Thanksgiving weekend exodus of Hispanics from the state. Some portions of Alabama's law, known as HB 56 and described by supporters and critics as the harshest state immigration law in the country, were already blocked by a federal judge. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson took an additional step by ordering the state to stop denying manufactured home registration permits to people who couldn't prove their U.S. citizenship.
3. Black and Hispanic N.J. residents less likely to own homes following housing crisis, U.S. Census reveals; NJ.com, November 26, 2011
Brief Introduction: Sixty-five percent of Garden State householders live in homes they own. But for black households, that number drops to 40 percent. For Hispanics, the home ownership rate is even lower, at 36 percent, even as the community’s population has exploded in the last decade, according to data from the 2010 Census.
Health
1. More kids skip school shots in 8 states; Usatoday.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: More parents are opting out of school shots for their kids. In eight states now, more than 1 in 20 public school kindergartners aren't getting all the vaccines required for attendance, an Associated Press analysis found.
2. Medicare in America: "It has to get better"; CNN Money, November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: As administrator of Medicare and Medicaid, Donald Berwick has been in charge of paying for the health care of nearly one in three Americans. He has also had an important role in implementing last year's health reform law, which uses the Medicare system as a big lever to change how doctors and hospitals do business, in hopes of containing costs.
3. Pastor fights HIV stigma in Southern town; CNN.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: It's a problem all across the Bible Belt. In 2007 -- the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- the rate of diagnosed AIDS cases in the Southeastern United States was much higher than in other regions of the country: 9.2 per 100,000 people, versus 2.5 in the Midwest, 3.9 in the West and 5.6 in the Northeast.
Education
1. Detroit schools face fines over truancy; UPI.com, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: The Detroit News reported Monday the documents it obtained show the financially struggling school district could lose about $25.9 million because attendance fell below the state minimum of 75 percent on 46 days last school year.
2. Homeless children snap their dreams; Detroit News, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: When asked what she wishes for, Julie, a 10-year-old resident of a homeless shelter, said she wants her mother to feel better. Nine-year-old Dearon, also a shelter resident, wants to go to college. Diamond, age 7, hopes to make her mother proud. The children were among 15 Detroit kids living in the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries shelter who articulated their hopes and dreams by taking photographs as part of the nationally acclaimed Pictures of Hope project.
Race
1. As public sector sheds jobs, Blacks are hit hardest; The New York Times, November 28, 2011
Brief Introduction: Mr. Buckley is one of tens of thousands of once solidly middle-class African-American government workers — bus drivers in Chicago, police officers and firefighters in Cleveland, nurses and doctors in Florida — who have been laid off since the recession ended in June 2009. Such job losses have blunted gains made in employment and wealth during the previous decade and undermined the stability of neighborhoods where there are now fewer black professionals who own homes or who get up every morning to go to work.
2. Ruling on Ala. immigration law averts exodus, groups say; USA Today; November 29, 2011
Brief Introduction: Civil rights groups say a judge's decision to halt part of Alabama's strict illegal immigration enforcement law averted a Thanksgiving weekend exodus of Hispanics from the state. Some portions of Alabama's law, known as HB 56 and described by supporters and critics as the harshest state immigration law in the country, were already blocked by a federal judge. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson took an additional step by ordering the state to stop denying manufactured home registration permits to people who couldn't prove their U.S. citizenship.
3. Black and Hispanic N.J. residents less likely to own homes following housing crisis, U.S. Census reveals; NJ.com, November 26, 2011
Brief Introduction: Sixty-five percent of Garden State householders live in homes they own. But for black households, that number drops to 40 percent. For Hispanics, the home ownership rate is even lower, at 36 percent, even as the community’s population has exploded in the last decade, according to data from the 2010 Census.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. New study shows health insurance premium spikes in every state; WashingtonPost.com, November 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance have risen faster than incomes in every state in the nation, according to a report released Thursday. The District of Columbia had the highest annual total premiums, including both the employer’s and the worker’s share. In 2010, they averaged $5,644 for a single policy and $15,206 for a family version — a rise of 51 percent and 41 percent, respectively, since 2003.
2. Feds provide $6M for rural health care in 6 states; Chicagotribune.com, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Six states in the Mississippi River Delta region are getting more than $6 million in rural health care grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than half of it is going to Mississippi. Nearly $3 million in rural development grants will pay for the first urgent care center in Mound Bayou, Miss., and almost $700,000 will create an electronic intensive care unit system among five hospitals in Mississippi's poorest rural counties, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday.
Education
1. Congress blocks new rules on school lunches; New York Times.com, November 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: Congress on Monday blocked rules proposed by the Agriculture Department that would have overhauled the nation’s school lunch program. The proposed changes — the first in 15 years to the $11 billion school lunch program — were meant to reduce childhood obesity by adding more fruits and green vegetables to lunch menus, Agriculture Department officials said.
2. States strengthening teacher evaluation standards; Boston.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: President Barack Obama's recent use of executive authority to revise the No Child Left Behind education law is one of several factors driving a trend toward using student test scores, classroom observation and potentially even input from students, among other measures, to determine just how effective educators are. A growing number of states are using these evaluations to decide critical issues such as pay, tenure, firings and the awarding of teaching licenses.
Race
1. Perceived racism may impact Black American's mental health; St. Louis American, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: For black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could lead to some physical health disparities between blacks and other populations in the United States, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Black Americans' psychological responses to racism are very similar to common responses to trauma, such as somatization, which is psychological distress expressed as physical pain; interpersonal sensitivity; and anxiety, according to the study. Individuals who said they experienced more and very stressful racism were more likely to report mental distress, the authors said.
2. Arizona educators clash over Mexican American studies; Latimes.com, November 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: A state law adopted this year aims to outlaw divisive ethnic studies, and Huppenthal will soon decide whether the Tucson district's program violates the law and should be eliminated. In a state known for cultural clashes, the debate over the future of Mexican American studies in Tucson is particularly charged, prompting raucous protests and a host of accusations — of brainwashing, of sloppy academics, of racism.
3. A hard life for one Latina teenager; Latimes.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: She is 16 years old, and a native-born Georgian. She has a learner's permit and would like to take the driving class that would allow her to get a license — that elusive prize so many of her foreign-born friends will never have. The class costs $230, but the money from her two jobs is spoken for. Since her stepfather, an illegal immigrant named Abigail Carrillos, returned to El Salvador to avoid a forced deportation, she has stepped up as the family's main breadwinner.
Health
1. New study shows health insurance premium spikes in every state; WashingtonPost.com, November 17, 2011
Brief Introduction: Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance have risen faster than incomes in every state in the nation, according to a report released Thursday. The District of Columbia had the highest annual total premiums, including both the employer’s and the worker’s share. In 2010, they averaged $5,644 for a single policy and $15,206 for a family version — a rise of 51 percent and 41 percent, respectively, since 2003.
2. Feds provide $6M for rural health care in 6 states; Chicagotribune.com, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Six states in the Mississippi River Delta region are getting more than $6 million in rural health care grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than half of it is going to Mississippi. Nearly $3 million in rural development grants will pay for the first urgent care center in Mound Bayou, Miss., and almost $700,000 will create an electronic intensive care unit system among five hospitals in Mississippi's poorest rural counties, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Friday.
Education
1. Congress blocks new rules on school lunches; New York Times.com, November 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: Congress on Monday blocked rules proposed by the Agriculture Department that would have overhauled the nation’s school lunch program. The proposed changes — the first in 15 years to the $11 billion school lunch program — were meant to reduce childhood obesity by adding more fruits and green vegetables to lunch menus, Agriculture Department officials said.
2. States strengthening teacher evaluation standards; Boston.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: President Barack Obama's recent use of executive authority to revise the No Child Left Behind education law is one of several factors driving a trend toward using student test scores, classroom observation and potentially even input from students, among other measures, to determine just how effective educators are. A growing number of states are using these evaluations to decide critical issues such as pay, tenure, firings and the awarding of teaching licenses.
Race
1. Perceived racism may impact Black American's mental health; St. Louis American, November 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: For black American adults, perceived racism may cause mental health symptoms similar to trauma and could lead to some physical health disparities between blacks and other populations in the United States, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association (APA). Black Americans' psychological responses to racism are very similar to common responses to trauma, such as somatization, which is psychological distress expressed as physical pain; interpersonal sensitivity; and anxiety, according to the study. Individuals who said they experienced more and very stressful racism were more likely to report mental distress, the authors said.
2. Arizona educators clash over Mexican American studies; Latimes.com, November 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: A state law adopted this year aims to outlaw divisive ethnic studies, and Huppenthal will soon decide whether the Tucson district's program violates the law and should be eliminated. In a state known for cultural clashes, the debate over the future of Mexican American studies in Tucson is particularly charged, prompting raucous protests and a host of accusations — of brainwashing, of sloppy academics, of racism.
3. A hard life for one Latina teenager; Latimes.com, November 18, 2011
Brief Introduction: She is 16 years old, and a native-born Georgian. She has a learner's permit and would like to take the driving class that would allow her to get a license — that elusive prize so many of her foreign-born friends will never have. The class costs $230, but the money from her two jobs is spoken for. Since her stepfather, an illegal immigrant named Abigail Carrillos, returned to El Salvador to avoid a forced deportation, she has stepped up as the family's main breadwinner.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. In developing world, poor still means thin; Reuters.com, November 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Although "first-world" health problems like obesity and heart disease are gaining ground in developing nations, a new study finds they are mostly afflicting the rich and middle class while poor people remain undernourished and underweight.
2. Low-income state workers begin to gain access to Children's Health Insurance Program; The Washington Post, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: At least six states have opened their Children's Health Insurance Program to the kids of low-income state employees, an option that was prohibited until the passage of the 2010 health-care law.
Education
1. Analysis: is student loan, education bubble next?; Boston.com, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: First the dot.coms popped, then mortgages. Are student loans and higher education the next bubble, the latest investment craze inflating on borrowed money and misplaced faith it can never go bad?
2. In Tennessee, following the rules for evaluations off a cliff; The New York Times, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Last year, when Tennessee was named one of the first two states to win a federal Race to The Top grant, worth $501 million, there was great joy all around.
Race
1. City to provide housing to poor, pregnant women; Boston.com, November 4, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an effort to drive down the number of deaths among black and Latino infants in Boston, the city today launched an initiative to lessen the stress on pregnant women by providing them with housing, counseling, and other critical support.
2. Rage ensues as study shows soda ads target minorities; NYDailyNews.com, November 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: In her Harlem neighborhood, the barrage of soda ads is constant. “Pepsi and Coke are everywhere,” said Rashida Jones, 34, a mother of three. “As a parent, I can’t control what my children see. They even show the ads on tv during cartoons.” A recent study shows Jones - a black woman whose kids are 10, 14 and 15 - isn’t alone. The study found that young blacks and Hispanics are bombarded with soda ads at a higher rate than white children.
Health
1. In developing world, poor still means thin; Reuters.com, November 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Although "first-world" health problems like obesity and heart disease are gaining ground in developing nations, a new study finds they are mostly afflicting the rich and middle class while poor people remain undernourished and underweight.
2. Low-income state workers begin to gain access to Children's Health Insurance Program; The Washington Post, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: At least six states have opened their Children's Health Insurance Program to the kids of low-income state employees, an option that was prohibited until the passage of the 2010 health-care law.
Education
1. Analysis: is student loan, education bubble next?; Boston.com, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: First the dot.coms popped, then mortgages. Are student loans and higher education the next bubble, the latest investment craze inflating on borrowed money and misplaced faith it can never go bad?
2. In Tennessee, following the rules for evaluations off a cliff; The New York Times, November 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Last year, when Tennessee was named one of the first two states to win a federal Race to The Top grant, worth $501 million, there was great joy all around.
Race
1. City to provide housing to poor, pregnant women; Boston.com, November 4, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an effort to drive down the number of deaths among black and Latino infants in Boston, the city today launched an initiative to lessen the stress on pregnant women by providing them with housing, counseling, and other critical support.
2. Rage ensues as study shows soda ads target minorities; NYDailyNews.com, November 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: In her Harlem neighborhood, the barrage of soda ads is constant. “Pepsi and Coke are everywhere,” said Rashida Jones, 34, a mother of three. “As a parent, I can’t control what my children see. They even show the ads on tv during cartoons.” A recent study shows Jones - a black woman whose kids are 10, 14 and 15 - isn’t alone. The study found that young blacks and Hispanics are bombarded with soda ads at a higher rate than white children.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Public health program urges smokers in KY city to switch from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco; Washington Post, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: The James Graham Brown Cancer Center and the University of Louisville are aiming their “Switch and Quit” campaign at the city of Owensboro. It uses print, radio, billboard and other advertising to urge smokers to swap their cigarettes for smokeless tobacco and other products that do not deliver nicotine by smoke.
2. 11,000 may rejoin state's Basic Health plan; The Seattle Times, October 26,2011
Brief introduction: About 11,000 people who were kicked off the state's Basic Health insurance program for the working poor in March because of their immigration status will be allowed to re-enroll after a federal court judge said the state likely had violated their constitutional equal-protection rights.
Education
1. Colorado faces nation's only statewide tax vote to raise taxes for Education; Huffington Post, October 30, 2011
Brief introduction: The nation's only statewide tax vote on the November ballot asks Colorado voters whether they want to temporarily raise taxes to generate $3 billion for classrooms and colleges – a proposal that has stirred fierce opposition because of the stagnant economy.
2. Higher education costs continue to soar; CBS News.com, October 26, 2011
Brief introduction: The College Board says average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose an additional $631 this fall, or 8.3 percent, from a year ago. Nationally, the cost of a full credit load has passed $8,000, an all-time high. With room and board, the average list price for a state school now runs more than $17,000 a year.
Race
1. Report shows African-American, low-income children in California at highest risk of secondhand smoke; Scope, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: Although smoking rates in California have steadily declined since 1998, nearly 2.5 million children in the state are still at risk of secondhand smoke, according to a recent report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
2. Miscommunication about asthma leaves Latinos gasping for answers; Fox News Latino, October 27, 2011
Brief introduction: Miscommunication, more than unhealthy lifestyles, are contributing to high rates of the respiratory condition among Hispanics, the American Lung Association said earlier this month.
Health
1. Public health program urges smokers in KY city to switch from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco; Washington Post, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: The James Graham Brown Cancer Center and the University of Louisville are aiming their “Switch and Quit” campaign at the city of Owensboro. It uses print, radio, billboard and other advertising to urge smokers to swap their cigarettes for smokeless tobacco and other products that do not deliver nicotine by smoke.
2. 11,000 may rejoin state's Basic Health plan; The Seattle Times, October 26,2011
Brief introduction: About 11,000 people who were kicked off the state's Basic Health insurance program for the working poor in March because of their immigration status will be allowed to re-enroll after a federal court judge said the state likely had violated their constitutional equal-protection rights.
Education
1. Colorado faces nation's only statewide tax vote to raise taxes for Education; Huffington Post, October 30, 2011
Brief introduction: The nation's only statewide tax vote on the November ballot asks Colorado voters whether they want to temporarily raise taxes to generate $3 billion for classrooms and colleges – a proposal that has stirred fierce opposition because of the stagnant economy.
2. Higher education costs continue to soar; CBS News.com, October 26, 2011
Brief introduction: The College Board says average in-state tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose an additional $631 this fall, or 8.3 percent, from a year ago. Nationally, the cost of a full credit load has passed $8,000, an all-time high. With room and board, the average list price for a state school now runs more than $17,000 a year.
Race
1. Report shows African-American, low-income children in California at highest risk of secondhand smoke; Scope, October 28,2011
Brief introduction: Although smoking rates in California have steadily declined since 1998, nearly 2.5 million children in the state are still at risk of secondhand smoke, according to a recent report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
2. Miscommunication about asthma leaves Latinos gasping for answers; Fox News Latino, October 27, 2011
Brief introduction: Miscommunication, more than unhealthy lifestyles, are contributing to high rates of the respiratory condition among Hispanics, the American Lung Association said earlier this month.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Education
1. Senate panel approves bill that rewrited education law; The New York Times, October 21,2011
Legislation rewriting the No Child Left Behind education law finally gained traction this week, and the Senate Democrat whose committee passed the bill said on Friday that progress became possible because lawmakers were irritated by the Obama administration’s offering states waivers to the law’s key provisions.
2. Texas trails most states, many countries in young adults with degrees; Statesman.com, October 21, 2011
Texas trails most other states and many developed countries in the percentage of young adults with a college degree, and demographic changes suggest the underperformance will worsen as time goes on. About 32 percent of Texans ages 25 to 34 have earned an associate's degree or higher, compared with 41 percent for the nation as a whole. Massachusetts ranks first among the states at about 54 percent, and South Korea led an international sampling at 63 percent.
Health
1. Study: Foreclosure crisis threatening America's health; USA Today, October 22, 2011
A new study finds that falling behind on your mortgage payments hurts more than just your finances, as the stress and financial strain that come with the struggle can also harm your physical and psychological health. People who reported that they had fallen behind on their mortgage between 2006 and 2008 reported more depressive symptoms, more food insecurity and were more likely to say they weren't taking prescription medications as prescribed because of cost.
2. Massive free health clinic serves more than 1,000 on first day; Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2011
More than a thousand people on Thursday took advantage of a massive free clinic that opened at the L.A. Sports Arena. The outreach event, which goes until Sunday, is expected to treat more than 5,000 patients for tooth decay, high blood pressure, diabetes and other medical needs. It is organized by CareNow, an L.A.-based nonprofit that assists urban areas with healthcare needs.
3. Change your neighborhood, improve your health; Time.com, October 20, 2011
When a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offered a program in the 1990s to move families out of poor neighborhoods, it created a unique opportunity not only to improve people's day-to-day lives, but also to study how a change in environment might impact their health over the long term. Now, more than a decade later, the researchers have found that families who moved to lower-poverty neighborhoods had lower levels of obesity and diabetes than those who stayed behind. What's more, the improvements in health were as significant as those that typically result from targeted diet and exercise interventions or the use of medications to treat diabetes.
Race
1. SC voter ID law hits some black precincts harder; Boston.com, October 19, 2011
South Carolina’s new voter photo identification law appears to be disproportionately affecting minority voters in one of the state’s largest counties and black precincts elsewhere, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. For instance, nearly half the voters who cast ballots at a historically black college in Columbia lack state-issued photo identification and could face problems voting in next year’s presidential election, according to the analysis of precinct-level data provided by the state Election Commission.
Education
1. Senate panel approves bill that rewrited education law; The New York Times, October 21,2011
Legislation rewriting the No Child Left Behind education law finally gained traction this week, and the Senate Democrat whose committee passed the bill said on Friday that progress became possible because lawmakers were irritated by the Obama administration’s offering states waivers to the law’s key provisions.
2. Texas trails most states, many countries in young adults with degrees; Statesman.com, October 21, 2011
Texas trails most other states and many developed countries in the percentage of young adults with a college degree, and demographic changes suggest the underperformance will worsen as time goes on. About 32 percent of Texans ages 25 to 34 have earned an associate's degree or higher, compared with 41 percent for the nation as a whole. Massachusetts ranks first among the states at about 54 percent, and South Korea led an international sampling at 63 percent.
Health
1. Study: Foreclosure crisis threatening America's health; USA Today, October 22, 2011
A new study finds that falling behind on your mortgage payments hurts more than just your finances, as the stress and financial strain that come with the struggle can also harm your physical and psychological health. People who reported that they had fallen behind on their mortgage between 2006 and 2008 reported more depressive symptoms, more food insecurity and were more likely to say they weren't taking prescription medications as prescribed because of cost.
2. Massive free health clinic serves more than 1,000 on first day; Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2011
More than a thousand people on Thursday took advantage of a massive free clinic that opened at the L.A. Sports Arena. The outreach event, which goes until Sunday, is expected to treat more than 5,000 patients for tooth decay, high blood pressure, diabetes and other medical needs. It is organized by CareNow, an L.A.-based nonprofit that assists urban areas with healthcare needs.
3. Change your neighborhood, improve your health; Time.com, October 20, 2011
When a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offered a program in the 1990s to move families out of poor neighborhoods, it created a unique opportunity not only to improve people's day-to-day lives, but also to study how a change in environment might impact their health over the long term. Now, more than a decade later, the researchers have found that families who moved to lower-poverty neighborhoods had lower levels of obesity and diabetes than those who stayed behind. What's more, the improvements in health were as significant as those that typically result from targeted diet and exercise interventions or the use of medications to treat diabetes.
Race
1. SC voter ID law hits some black precincts harder; Boston.com, October 19, 2011
South Carolina’s new voter photo identification law appears to be disproportionately affecting minority voters in one of the state’s largest counties and black precincts elsewhere, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. For instance, nearly half the voters who cast ballots at a historically black college in Columbia lack state-issued photo identification and could face problems voting in next year’s presidential election, according to the analysis of precinct-level data provided by the state Election Commission.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. "Supercommittee" decision may lead to cuts funding for public health initiatives; Washington Post, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: Federal funding for medical research, disease prevention and a host of public health initiatives could be sharply reduced if the congressional “supercommittee” fails to agree on a deficit-reduction package, triggering automatic cuts. Public attention has largely focused on possible cuts to entitlement programs for seniors and the poor, Medicare and Medicaid, but health advocates are raising an alarm about many other smaller programs they say need to be protected.
2. Health insurance set up for the masses; Philly.com, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: The federal government is taking on a crucial new role in the nation's health care, designing a basic-benefits package for millions of privately insured Americans. A framework for the Obama administration was released Thursday.Education
1. Education funds sought to uncover cheating; Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: New York state education officials, in an attempt to boost confidence in test scores as they become part of teacher evaluations across the state, want to spend $2.1 million to hunt among millions of students' tests for evidence of cheating.
2. Education bill draws fire from rights groups; Washington Post, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A top Senate Democrat rolled out his plan Tuesday to revamp the main federal education law, but it immediately drew fire from civil rights groups that argued it would ease pressure on schools to provide quality education to all children, regardless of race or income. Under Harkin’s bill, the federal government would no longer require all students to meet achievement goals — a cornerstone of the current law. Instead, Harkin proposes to require that schools show that students are making academic progress.
Race
1. 5 diseases more common in minorities; ABC News, October 13,2011
Brief Introduction: Although more and more people are living longer with colorectal cancer, new research has found that black people with the disease aren't living as long as whites.
2. LAUSD agrees to revise how English learners, blacks are taught; Los Angeles Times, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: The Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to sweeping revisions in the way it teaches students learning English, as well as black youngsters, settling a federal civil rights investigation that examined whether the district was denying the students a quality education. The settlement closes what was the Obama administration's first civil rights investigation launched by the Department of Education, and officials said Tuesday that it would serve as a model for other school districts around the country.
Health
1. "Supercommittee" decision may lead to cuts funding for public health initiatives; Washington Post, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: Federal funding for medical research, disease prevention and a host of public health initiatives could be sharply reduced if the congressional “supercommittee” fails to agree on a deficit-reduction package, triggering automatic cuts. Public attention has largely focused on possible cuts to entitlement programs for seniors and the poor, Medicare and Medicaid, but health advocates are raising an alarm about many other smaller programs they say need to be protected.
2. Health insurance set up for the masses; Philly.com, October 16,2011
Brief Introduction: The federal government is taking on a crucial new role in the nation's health care, designing a basic-benefits package for millions of privately insured Americans. A framework for the Obama administration was released Thursday.Education
1. Education funds sought to uncover cheating; Wall Street Journal, October 15, 2011
Brief Introduction: New York state education officials, in an attempt to boost confidence in test scores as they become part of teacher evaluations across the state, want to spend $2.1 million to hunt among millions of students' tests for evidence of cheating.
2. Education bill draws fire from rights groups; Washington Post, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A top Senate Democrat rolled out his plan Tuesday to revamp the main federal education law, but it immediately drew fire from civil rights groups that argued it would ease pressure on schools to provide quality education to all children, regardless of race or income. Under Harkin’s bill, the federal government would no longer require all students to meet achievement goals — a cornerstone of the current law. Instead, Harkin proposes to require that schools show that students are making academic progress.
Race
1. 5 diseases more common in minorities; ABC News, October 13,2011
Brief Introduction: Although more and more people are living longer with colorectal cancer, new research has found that black people with the disease aren't living as long as whites.
2. LAUSD agrees to revise how English learners, blacks are taught; Los Angeles Times, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: The Los Angeles Unified School District has agreed to sweeping revisions in the way it teaches students learning English, as well as black youngsters, settling a federal civil rights investigation that examined whether the district was denying the students a quality education. The settlement closes what was the Obama administration's first civil rights investigation launched by the Department of Education, and officials said Tuesday that it would serve as a model for other school districts around the country.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Dietary supplements risky for older women, study finds; Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an analysis of about 39,000 women tracked over 19 years, researchers led by a team at the University of Minnesota found that those who took multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper and especially iron died at higher rates during the course of the study than those who did not take supplements.
2. Physicians treating Latinos have high hurdles to jump, study shows; UCLA, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Research out of UCLA and the City University of New York has found that primary care physicians who treat Latinos are less likely than physicians treating primarily white patients to believe they can provide high-quality care. Among the reasons: inadequate time with patients, patients' lack of ability to afford care, patients not adhering to recommended treatments, and difficulties in communicating.
Education
1. Proposal stirs charter school debate: choice vs. quality?; Detroit Free Press, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A legislative proposal to lift the state cap on charter schools would provide parents unprecedented options for K-12 education, but some critics fear it would litter the state with ineffective, profit-minded operators.
2. DPS special ed program gains; Detroit Free Press, October 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: It took two years of state pressure and the threat of losing millions in funding, but Detroit Public Schools has reformed its special education evaluation system to comply with state and federal laws. As a result, more of the 12,000 disabled students across the district are getting more time in regular classrooms, a goal shared by state education officials.
Race
1. Downsides of cancer rarely seen in black media; Reuters, October 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Since people often get medical information from the media, Fishman and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia looked at whether there might be racial differences in how the media cover cancer care.
2. Hopkins researchers find place, rather than race, may be greater determinant of health; Stanford.edu, October 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Of all the variables that contribute to health disparities, where patients live may be more significant than their race, according to findings published in the latest issue of Health Affairs.
Health
1. Dietary supplements risky for older women, study finds; Los Angeles Times, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: In an analysis of about 39,000 women tracked over 19 years, researchers led by a team at the University of Minnesota found that those who took multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper and especially iron died at higher rates during the course of the study than those who did not take supplements.
2. Physicians treating Latinos have high hurdles to jump, study shows; UCLA, October 10, 2011
Brief Introduction: Research out of UCLA and the City University of New York has found that primary care physicians who treat Latinos are less likely than physicians treating primarily white patients to believe they can provide high-quality care. Among the reasons: inadequate time with patients, patients' lack of ability to afford care, patients not adhering to recommended treatments, and difficulties in communicating.
Education
1. Proposal stirs charter school debate: choice vs. quality?; Detroit Free Press, October 11,2011
Brief Introduction: A legislative proposal to lift the state cap on charter schools would provide parents unprecedented options for K-12 education, but some critics fear it would litter the state with ineffective, profit-minded operators.
2. DPS special ed program gains; Detroit Free Press, October 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: It took two years of state pressure and the threat of losing millions in funding, but Detroit Public Schools has reformed its special education evaluation system to comply with state and federal laws. As a result, more of the 12,000 disabled students across the district are getting more time in regular classrooms, a goal shared by state education officials.
Race
1. Downsides of cancer rarely seen in black media; Reuters, October 5, 2011
Brief Introduction: Since people often get medical information from the media, Fishman and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia looked at whether there might be racial differences in how the media cover cancer care.
2. Hopkins researchers find place, rather than race, may be greater determinant of health; Stanford.edu, October 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Of all the variables that contribute to health disparities, where patients live may be more significant than their race, according to findings published in the latest issue of Health Affairs.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. When the nurse wants to be called "Doctor"; The New York Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Dr. McCarver calls herself a doctor because she returned to school to earn a doctorate last year, one of thousands of nurses doing the same recently. Doctorates are popping up all over the health professions, and the result is a quiet battle over not only the title “doctor,” but also the money, power and prestige that often comes with it.
2. Physicians sue Washington State for limiting emergency room visits; Global Post, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: The American College of Emergency Physicians is suing the state of Washington over its new policy of paying for only three non-emergency trips to the emergency room per year for low-income Medicaid patients.
3. Workers in construction, mines, food service more likely to smoke; Chicago Sun-Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Construction workers, miners and food service workers top the list of occupations that smoke the most, according to a new government report. Experts say it might have as much to do with lower education levels as the jobs themselves.
Education
1. Illegal students face obstacles even after college; The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: When Rhode Island became the thirteenth state to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at public colleges, supporters heralded the move as one that would give students the kind of advanced education they need to succeed in the work force.
Brief Introduction: Thirty-eight-year-old Luvanis O'Neal kept her secret for more than 20 years by hiding in silence behind a sweet, demure smile. It was easier being quiet. Nobody asked questions of the shy girl.
Race
1. Black population concentrated in South: Census; NBC Washington, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: The majority of the United State’s population that identifies itself as black or African American is concentrated in the southern states, according to a new report by the Census Bureau.
2. More Hispanics listed themselves as White on U.S. Census; The Beacon News, September 30, 2011
Brief Introduction: In a twist to notions of race identity, new 2010 census figures show an unexpected reason behind a renewed growth in the U.S. white population: more Hispanics listing themselves as white in the once-a-decade government count.
Health
1. When the nurse wants to be called "Doctor"; The New York Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Dr. McCarver calls herself a doctor because she returned to school to earn a doctorate last year, one of thousands of nurses doing the same recently. Doctorates are popping up all over the health professions, and the result is a quiet battle over not only the title “doctor,” but also the money, power and prestige that often comes with it.
2. Physicians sue Washington State for limiting emergency room visits; Global Post, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: The American College of Emergency Physicians is suing the state of Washington over its new policy of paying for only three non-emergency trips to the emergency room per year for low-income Medicaid patients.
3. Workers in construction, mines, food service more likely to smoke; Chicago Sun-Times, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Construction workers, miners and food service workers top the list of occupations that smoke the most, according to a new government report. Experts say it might have as much to do with lower education levels as the jobs themselves.
Education
1. Illegal students face obstacles even after college; The Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: When Rhode Island became the thirteenth state to allow in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at public colleges, supporters heralded the move as one that would give students the kind of advanced education they need to succeed in the work force.
But students who are not here legally may still face a major obstacle even with the benefit of a college degree: Many have no immediate pathway to legal status and, under current federal immigration law, employers cannot legally hire them.
2. Once left behind, a single mom refuses to give up on her quest to read; Detroit Free Press, October 2, 2011Brief Introduction: Thirty-eight-year-old Luvanis O'Neal kept her secret for more than 20 years by hiding in silence behind a sweet, demure smile. It was easier being quiet. Nobody asked questions of the shy girl.
Race
1. Black population concentrated in South: Census; NBC Washington, October 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: The majority of the United State’s population that identifies itself as black or African American is concentrated in the southern states, according to a new report by the Census Bureau.
2. More Hispanics listed themselves as White on U.S. Census; The Beacon News, September 30, 2011
Brief Introduction: In a twist to notions of race identity, new 2010 census figures show an unexpected reason behind a renewed growth in the U.S. white population: more Hispanics listing themselves as white in the once-a-decade government count.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Hospital drug shortages deadly, costly; Forbes.com, September 24, 2011
Brief introduction: A growing crisis in the availability of drugs for chemotherapy, infections and other serious ailments is endangering patients and forcing hospitals to buy from secondary suppliers at huge markups because they can't get the medications any other way.
2. California leads U.S. in measles cases; Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2011
Brief introduction: As more parents forgo measles vaccinations for their children, the number of Californians contracting the highly contagious disease has reached a 10-year high, outpacing every other state in the nation.
Education
1. Obama turns some powers of education back to the states; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: Mr. Obama invited states to reclaim the power to design their own school accountability and improvement systems, upending the centerpiece of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law, a requirement that all students be proficient in math and reading by 2014.
2. 'Parent Trigger' law to reform schools faces challenges; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: The Compton Unified School District has challenged a group of parents who collected hundred of signatures in order to enact change at one of the schools using the 'parent trigger' law. The parents want the under-performing school shut down and a charter school to take its place.
Race
1. Many black men in cold climates lack vitamin D; US News, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: A new study suggests black men who live in areas of the United States with low sunlight are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than whites who live in the same places.
2. Black teachers unfairly targeted by CPS layoffs, union says; Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2011
Brief introduction: The Chicago Teachers Union says that while fewer than 30 percent of teachers in CPS are African-American, they represent more than 40 percent of those getting pink slips this year, either for budgetary reasons or because of enrollment declines. Latino teachers, who represent 15 percent of teachers in CPS, make up about 12 percent of layoffs, union officials said.
Health
1. Hospital drug shortages deadly, costly; Forbes.com, September 24, 2011
Brief introduction: A growing crisis in the availability of drugs for chemotherapy, infections and other serious ailments is endangering patients and forcing hospitals to buy from secondary suppliers at huge markups because they can't get the medications any other way.
2. California leads U.S. in measles cases; Los Angeles Times, September 22, 2011
Brief introduction: As more parents forgo measles vaccinations for their children, the number of Californians contracting the highly contagious disease has reached a 10-year high, outpacing every other state in the nation.
Education
1. Obama turns some powers of education back to the states; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: Mr. Obama invited states to reclaim the power to design their own school accountability and improvement systems, upending the centerpiece of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind law, a requirement that all students be proficient in math and reading by 2014.
2. 'Parent Trigger' law to reform schools faces challenges; The New York Times, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: The Compton Unified School District has challenged a group of parents who collected hundred of signatures in order to enact change at one of the schools using the 'parent trigger' law. The parents want the under-performing school shut down and a charter school to take its place.
Race
1. Many black men in cold climates lack vitamin D; US News, September 23, 2011
Brief introduction: A new study suggests black men who live in areas of the United States with low sunlight are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than whites who live in the same places.
2. Black teachers unfairly targeted by CPS layoffs, union says; Chicago Tribune, September 25, 2011
Brief introduction: The Chicago Teachers Union says that while fewer than 30 percent of teachers in CPS are African-American, they represent more than 40 percent of those getting pink slips this year, either for budgetary reasons or because of enrollment declines. Latino teachers, who represent 15 percent of teachers in CPS, make up about 12 percent of layoffs, union officials said.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. 4 insurers will supply health data; The New York Times, September 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Several major health insurers have agreed to provide their claims data on a regular basis to academic researchers, in an unusual agreement that they say will open a window onto the rising costs of health care.
2. Study: Exercise helps teen smokers quit; USA Today, September 19,2011
A program that combines counseling with physical activity may offer teens a more effective way to stop smoking.
Education
1. Kansas City Schools to lose state accreditation; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Missouri education officials revoked the accreditation of the Kansas City School District on Tuesday after it failed for several years to meet most of the state's academic performance standards.
2. Kansas joins national science standard team; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Kansas has been named one of 20 lead states to help write academic science standards that could be used as a national model for public schools and will include requirements for teaching evolution, project leaders announced Tuesday.
Race
1. Higher risk of second breast cancer seen in black women; US News, September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Black women who develop breast cancer are more likely than white women to suffer a second cancer in the other breast, and those who are diagnosed under age 45 are more likely to get a primary breast cancer of a more aggressive form, new research indicates.
2. Latinos at risk without new pollution standards; San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 2011
Brief Introduction: Latinos would have a higher risk of disease and death without tougher standards that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed for ozone and toxic emissions, environmental and Latino groups said Tuesday.
Health
1. 4 insurers will supply health data; The New York Times, September 19, 2011
Brief Introduction: Several major health insurers have agreed to provide their claims data on a regular basis to academic researchers, in an unusual agreement that they say will open a window onto the rising costs of health care.
2. Study: Exercise helps teen smokers quit; USA Today, September 19,2011
A program that combines counseling with physical activity may offer teens a more effective way to stop smoking.
Education
1. Kansas City Schools to lose state accreditation; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Missouri education officials revoked the accreditation of the Kansas City School District on Tuesday after it failed for several years to meet most of the state's academic performance standards.
2. Kansas joins national science standard team; September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Kansas has been named one of 20 lead states to help write academic science standards that could be used as a national model for public schools and will include requirements for teaching evolution, project leaders announced Tuesday.
Race
1. Higher risk of second breast cancer seen in black women; US News, September 20, 2011
Brief Introduction: Black women who develop breast cancer are more likely than white women to suffer a second cancer in the other breast, and those who are diagnosed under age 45 are more likely to get a primary breast cancer of a more aggressive form, new research indicates.
2. Latinos at risk without new pollution standards; San Francisco Chronicle, September 21, 2011
Brief Introduction: Latinos would have a higher risk of disease and death without tougher standards that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed for ozone and toxic emissions, environmental and Latino groups said Tuesday.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles published in the last 7-10 days that may be of interest:
Health
1. Texas and Mass. still at health coverage extremes in U.S., Gallup, September 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Texas residents continue to be the most likely in the United States to lack health coverage, with 27.2% reporting being uninsured in the first half of 2011. At the other end of the spectrum is Massachusetts, where health insurance is required and 5.3% of residents lack coverage.
Education
1. Census data: Schools have cut thousands of jobs, September 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona school districts cut more than 10,000 employees – including 6,640 instructors – from March 2009 to March 2010, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
2. New York Times and WNYC launch SchoolBook to foster education community, Mashable.com, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: On Wednesday, The New York Times and public radio station WNYC launched SchoolBook, a website to provide news, data and discussion about New York City schools. The site aims to increase communication and understanding among parents, teachers, administrators and students.
Race
1. Report shows young workers, minorities hit hardest by recession job losses, Tribuna, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: While Connecticut lost over 11 9,000 jobs during the Great Recession, its impact was not borne evenly as young workers and ethnic minorities suffered disproportionately high unemployment rates, according to a new labor report issued Thursday by a New Haven-based public policy research group.
2. Hispanic Birthrate dips in Arizona, AZ Central.com, September, 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic women in Arizona are having children at a significantly lower rate than in past decades, which could slow overall population growth if the trend continues, according to new state and federal data.
Health
1. Texas and Mass. still at health coverage extremes in U.S., Gallup, September 6, 2011
Brief Introduction: Texas residents continue to be the most likely in the United States to lack health coverage, with 27.2% reporting being uninsured in the first half of 2011. At the other end of the spectrum is Massachusetts, where health insurance is required and 5.3% of residents lack coverage.
Education
1. Census data: Schools have cut thousands of jobs, September 2, 2011
Brief Introduction: Arizona school districts cut more than 10,000 employees – including 6,640 instructors – from March 2009 to March 2010, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
2. New York Times and WNYC launch SchoolBook to foster education community, Mashable.com, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: On Wednesday, The New York Times and public radio station WNYC launched SchoolBook, a website to provide news, data and discussion about New York City schools. The site aims to increase communication and understanding among parents, teachers, administrators and students.
Race
1. Report shows young workers, minorities hit hardest by recession job losses, Tribuna, September 7, 2011
Brief Introduction: While Connecticut lost over 11 9,000 jobs during the Great Recession, its impact was not borne evenly as young workers and ethnic minorities suffered disproportionately high unemployment rates, according to a new labor report issued Thursday by a New Haven-based public policy research group.
2. Hispanic Birthrate dips in Arizona, AZ Central.com, September, 1, 2011
Brief Introduction: Hispanic women in Arizona are having children at a significantly lower rate than in past decades, which could slow overall population growth if the trend continues, according to new state and federal data.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday Roundup
Education
1. Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College have teamed up to offer an option for high school drop-outs to earn their diploma and college credit. The program will begin in the fall and include up to 148 students. To be eligible, students must be between the ages of 16-19, have enough high school credits to be considered sophomores and have reading ability at the 8th grade level.
2. The New York Times ran an article about a new law in New Jersey regarding bullying that takes effect on September 1st. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is considered the toughest anti-bullying legistlation in the nation, requiring that all public schools adopt comprehensive antibullying policies, increase staff training and follow deadlines for reporting episodes.
Health
1. Michigan State University has developed a low-cost, solar powered device that can perform genetic analysis on microRNAs, which could make it possible to screen for cancer markers in rural areas where there is no easy access to a pathology department. Called the Gene-Z, the device operates with an iPod Touch or Android-based tablet and could possibly be used to test for markers to diagnose and monitor treatments of infectious diseases in the future.
2. The Journal Sentinel in Wisconsin ran an article on one pregnant woman's trouble in seeking dental care in Milwaukee County with Medicaid coverage. The paper surveyed 55 dental clinics listed in the city that accepted the plan and found only 8 that took new adult patients. Low dentist participation rates in Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus plan severely affects patient access to dental care, as the plan's reimbursement rate is 40% of bill - the 5th lowest in the country.
Race
1. A paper recently published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that white Anglo diabetics had twice the risk of dying than non-diabetics, while Mexican-Americans had three times the risk. Those that lived in Mexico City were four times more likely to die from the disease.
2. The Brookings Institute produced a report that looked at the growth of the minority population within the United States. The report found that Hispanics were 20% of the population of large metropolitan areas, an increase from 15% in 2000. African-Americans made up 14% of the population of large cities in 2010, the rate unchanged from the year 2000. Asians made up 6%.
1. Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College have teamed up to offer an option for high school drop-outs to earn their diploma and college credit. The program will begin in the fall and include up to 148 students. To be eligible, students must be between the ages of 16-19, have enough high school credits to be considered sophomores and have reading ability at the 8th grade level.
2. The New York Times ran an article about a new law in New Jersey regarding bullying that takes effect on September 1st. The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is considered the toughest anti-bullying legistlation in the nation, requiring that all public schools adopt comprehensive antibullying policies, increase staff training and follow deadlines for reporting episodes.
Health
1. Michigan State University has developed a low-cost, solar powered device that can perform genetic analysis on microRNAs, which could make it possible to screen for cancer markers in rural areas where there is no easy access to a pathology department. Called the Gene-Z, the device operates with an iPod Touch or Android-based tablet and could possibly be used to test for markers to diagnose and monitor treatments of infectious diseases in the future.
2. The Journal Sentinel in Wisconsin ran an article on one pregnant woman's trouble in seeking dental care in Milwaukee County with Medicaid coverage. The paper surveyed 55 dental clinics listed in the city that accepted the plan and found only 8 that took new adult patients. Low dentist participation rates in Wisconsin's BadgerCare Plus plan severely affects patient access to dental care, as the plan's reimbursement rate is 40% of bill - the 5th lowest in the country.
Race
1. A paper recently published in the Annals of Epidemiology found that white Anglo diabetics had twice the risk of dying than non-diabetics, while Mexican-Americans had three times the risk. Those that lived in Mexico City were four times more likely to die from the disease.
2. The Brookings Institute produced a report that looked at the growth of the minority population within the United States. The report found that Hispanics were 20% of the population of large metropolitan areas, an increase from 15% in 2000. African-Americans made up 14% of the population of large cities in 2010, the rate unchanged from the year 2000. Asians made up 6%.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday Roundup
Here is a listing of articles of interest published within the paast 7-10 days:
Health
1. Environmental toxins cost billions in childhood disease, Time, May 4, 2011:
Brief Intro: "In a new study in Health Affairs, Trasande and Liu have included autism and attention deficit disorder in the mix, and they now estimate that environmental disease in children costs some $76.6 billion. "That's over 3% of total health care costs," says Trasande. "The environment has become a major part of childhood disease."
Health
1. Environmental toxins cost billions in childhood disease, Time, May 4, 2011:
Brief Intro: "In a new study in Health Affairs, Trasande and Liu have included autism and attention deficit disorder in the mix, and they now estimate that environmental disease in children costs some $76.6 billion. "That's over 3% of total health care costs," says Trasande. "The environment has become a major part of childhood disease."
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