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October 2019 Summary of Select Trends
Click on the source in (parenthesis) to visit the full article TECH Need a police uniform that can change color based on the situation? ChroMorphous is a new innovation in the textile industry. Their denim-like fabric is an active, user-controlled, color-changing eTextile. With ChroMorphous color-changing fabric, users can control the color and patterns of their clothing and accessories at any time, using only a smartphone. (http://www.chromorphous.com/faq) SECURITY October is National Cyber Security Month. Click here for the 2019 Toolkit for individuals and organizations to use to help better secure personal data from the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS). Today, the chances of a municipality being a cyber victim is one in four. In the past few months, we’ve covered a few local governments that were victims of cyber attacks, and the trend isn’t showing any signs of stopping anytime soon. (The Philadelphia Inquirer) DEMOGRAPHICS For the first time in 160 years, the US household size has grown. As households increase in size, generally this indicates a boost in economic growth and outlook. However, more people in fewer houses can lead to slower growth in housing, construction, and other related industries. An increase in household size can mean more people contributing to household income. And even though trends have pointed to Millennials not having any - or as many - children, alcohol brands are enjoying an uptick in purchasing by this age group. (Pew Research Center) HEALTH To attract enrollees, health insurance companies are getting creative with value-added benefits for private Medicare Advantage plans, including pest control, gym memberships, and acupuncture. In the final months of the year, 64 million US people will be eligible for Medicare benefits and many will enroll and renew coverage during the annual open enrollment period. (ModernHealthcare) EDUCATION A controversial student database designed to enhance school safety was released in a school district in Florida in response to the school shooting in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Data are collected about students based on their social media accounts, police records or incidents, and other key data sources and flags. Civil rights, disability groups, and privacy experts argue this is a surveillance effort that goes too far. The school district notes that only certain officials have access to this data set, it cannot be saved or downloaded, and there is a 30-minute time viewing limit. The Department of Education also states this database will not be used to ‘label students as potential threats’. (Governing) HOUSING The ratio of income to house payment is the lowest it’s been in the last 20 months. And the unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in 50 years. However, optimism for the housing market overall wanes just as housing has become more affordable for more Americans. (CNBC) THE WAR ON DRUGS Only a few months after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the legalization of recreational use of marijuana, cities across the state revolt as 2020 approaches. Many states have decriminalized recreational pot usage for adults, and the battles between city and state rage on. CBD oil and hemp products are flying off the shelves of local retail shops, online, and on social media, but many locales and scientists are unsure of its health and therapeutic benefits. (Politico) INFRASTRUCTURE What will your city's website look like when 5,000 homes have been destroyed? What maps will you have, and do you have the in-house expertise to produce them? The need for digital response in a disaster is becoming more and more prevalent across the country. And now more people than ever are accessing websites on mobile devices. Here are some apps residents can download to stay connected if disaster strikes. (Governing) |
Further reading
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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].