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December 2018 Summary of Select Trends
Click on the source in (parenthesis) to visit the full article DEMOGRAPHICS Your neighborhood can determine your life expectancy. In a joint effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, neighborhood-level data revealed disparities in life expectancy when compared to death record data reported from 48 states (Maine and Wisconsin not included in study). Find out how your state and neighborhood stack up in providing long life in a way in which demographics cannot compete. (Governing) HEALTH CARE The US life expectancy is in its third year of decline, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This number influences key areas in the US economy, such as health care and employment. Employers have seen the need to adjust services and benefits to accommodate US workers retiring later in life as recently as the early 2010s when life expectancy was on the rise in the US. The opioid crisis and suicide rate has driven those numbers down, and there are no indications that next year will be any different, despite some efforts to reverse the opioid crisis through legislation. (Health Day) TECHNOLOGY Robots - the job thieves of the 21st century and beyond - or, are they? A recent study released by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reported the use of robots in the workplace resulted in wealth creation, not job destruction. And ultimately, more jobs are created as a result. Yes, some jobs are eliminated, but workers and managers alike have much efficiency to gain from retooling processes to integrate robots and AI into the workforce. (Wall Street Journal) WORKPLACE The gender wage gap is real for many reasons - from women not negotiating a job offer as often as men to women leaving the workplace to raise children and return behind their male counterparts. A recent study into this hot topic by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority found women took 83 percent less overtime hours and were paid $0.89 to the dollar to their male counterparts. Initially, the gap exists with base pay but is widened by women carrying the burden of family obligations with time-off and FMLA use. (SHRM) ECONOMY Millennials have been blamed for killing entire industries, like paper napkins and canned tuna. But, are they really spending too much of their money on avocado toast or hazelnut soy lattes? According to the Fed, millennials are poorer than previous generations, mainly due to the timing of the Recession of 2008 in many of their careers. Health care costs, stagnant wages, and the cost of higher education are all factors as well. (NPR) DEMOGRAPHICS A Pew study found Americans mention family (specifically, children and grandchildren) and career at the same rate when describing what makes life meaningful. Key demographics such as income, education, and religion directly impact what respondents believe give their life meaning. (Pew) ENVIRONMENT In the fifth driest state in the US, New Mexico is looking to require oil companies to treat and recycle fracking wastewater. In just one month, fracking waste water in the state could fill their largest lake, Elephant Butte, and could potentially be used for agriculture and drinking water. The gas and oil companies see it working if it makes financial sense, and critics have voiced concerns about the safety of the water and environmental impacts seen in other states like Oklahoma and Kansas. (Governing) GOVERNANCE The final report by the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking promises to refocus attention on the use of performance data. The use of metrics has evolved over more than two decades across all levels of government and is crucial to fulfill the promise of evidence-based decision making and to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research and cost-benefit analyses. The value of metrics and more recently analytics has been proven repeatedly. When used effectively in managing performance, the gains can be impressive. (Government Executive) |
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Cobalt Community Research is a national 501c3 nonprofit, non-partisan coalition that helps local governments, schools and membership organizations measure, benchmark, and affordably engage communities through high-quality metrics, surveys, dynamic population segmentation, focus groups and work groups. Cobalt combines big data with local insights to help organizations thrive as changes emerge in the economic, demographic and social landscape. Explore how we can help by calling 877.888.0209, or by emailing [email protected].
Cobalt Community Research is a national 501c3 nonprofit, non-partisan coalition that helps local governments, schools and membership organizations measure, benchmark, and affordably engage communities through high-quality metrics, surveys, dynamic population segmentation, focus groups and work groups. Cobalt combines big data with local insights to help organizations thrive as changes emerge in the economic, demographic and social landscape. Explore how we can help by calling 877.888.0209, or by emailing [email protected].