Youth In Five Cities Cite Fear As Major Barrier To Wellness
- Details
- Published on 27 November 2016
- Written by PRNewswire
Youth of color represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. youth population and make up the majority of young people in about half of the country's 100 largest U.S. cities.
According to new research by the Center for Promise, the research institute of America's Promise Alliance, fear, along with inequitable access to social supports, opportunities and experiences essential for healthy development, place this group at increased risk for poor health outcomes.
Barriers to Wellness: Voices and Views from Young People in Five Cities is a first-of-its-kind, youth-led assessment that provides new insight into the obstacles to wellness young people of color face in five cities across the nation.
The study, funded by Target, represents an important contribution to the emerging practice of youth participation in community research partnerships, which promises new insights when young people are both partners and leaders in research designed to influence program development and policy solutions.
With guidance from university-based researchers, teams of young people, age 13 and older, in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and St. Paul designed their own assessments of health and wellness challenges facing peers in their communities. Despite differences in approach and geography, the young researchers found meaningfully similar results. Across all five cities, youth of color cited stressors like racial profiling, lack of access to community resources, unsafe neighborhoods, and fear of police – alongside traditional health challenges like drug use – as major obstacles to wellness.
"Inequitable health outcomes for youth of color are an old problem in need of new thinking," said Dr. Jonathan Zaff, executive director of the Center for Promise. "Many young people of color in the study cite feeling over-policed, undervalued and unsafe in their own communities as barriers to wellness. These feelings often stem from pervasive stress and trauma associated with a lack of access to high-quality nutritious foods and medical care and concerns of racial discrimination that can lead to risky behaviors and a distrust of institutions. The result is entire generations growing up in constant fear, which affects their lives and can limit their potential in so many ways."
Key Findings
- Young people are under stress. In all five cities, respondents described employment concerns, race relations, violence, lack of community resources, and other environmental challenges as meaningful barriers to their well-being. In Boston, 78 percent of respondents said they are living under stress.
- Young people feel unsafe. In Chicago, over 70 percent of respondents say they felt unsafe in their neighborhoods either "always" or "sometimes." According to one respondent in the city, "Kids can't freely walk or play in the community without being worried about getting beat up or shot and killed."
- Young people mistrust and fear the police. In all five cities, the police served as an additional stressor for young people of color – despite respondents' concerns about community violence. Sixty percent of respondents in Chicago believe that police there antagonize youth. Respondents in Philadelphia shared similar anecdotes about experiences that damaged their trust in law enforcement.
- Young people observe and suffer from a lack of access to community resources. Gentrification, local food options, and unemployment concerned respondents across the five cities. The vast majority of respondents in Chicago say they purchase their food at gas stations and corner stores. In Denver, respondents described gentrification pushing them out of once-familiar public spaces, forcing them indoors during after-school hours.
- Young people engage in risky behaviors to cope with stress. In Philadelphia and Chicago, the majority of respondents believe young people are impacted by family members who use drugs. Respondents also identified a lack of information on safe sex practices and even the prevalence of social media as barriers to well-being.
"The insights our researchers found substantiate a long-held intuition among social work professionals: Young people are experts in their own lives," said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, assistant professor of social work at Boston University and lead author of the study. "As service providers, policymakers, and advocates explore programs to meet the next generation's needs, we must encourage and support young people, amplifying their voices and respecting the ability of young people of color to contribute insight and solutions to their lived experiences."
"Before I joined this project I just thought wellness was about being in shape and eating right," said 18-year old Dy'Mon Pendleton, one of the Philadelphia group's youth researchers. "I never thought about how all of these outside contributors had anything to do with wellness. But now my definition of wellness has changed because I realize that it's way more than that. I feel as though everything that happens around us makes us a product of our environment."
Report, Videos, Graphics & Other Resources
To access the research brief, full report, videos, graphics and other resources, please visit:
www.AmericasPromise.org/BarrierstoWellness.
Don't Get Snowed by Scam Artists this Holiday Season
- Details
- Published on 25 November 2016
- Written by PRNewswire
The holiday season is traditionally a time for giving but for scam artists looking to make a quick buck, it's also a time for taking.
ScamAwareness.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about financial fraud, is warning consumers to watch out for three scams that typically increase during the holidays.
Internet Purchase Scam
The internet purchase scam is consistently the top fraud complaint reported by U.S. consumers each year. According to the National Retail Federation, this holiday season customers are expected to spend an estimated $117 billion online. These shoppers are prime targets for scam artists offering merchandise, gift cards and even pets at a steep discount.
Many of these offers look too good to be true, and they usually are.
Consumers should never wire money for an online purchase. A money transfer is the same as cash and once it is received it cannot be recovered.
Fake Charity
American charities receive one-third* of their annual donations during the holiday season. Scammers take advantage of this outpouring of goodwill by creating new charities or misusing the name and brand of a well-known charity to get donations sent directly to them.
Before donating, consumers should verify that the charity and its web address are legitimate. When sending the money, use a check or credit card instead of a wire transfer or cash for donations.
Holiday Employment
Holiday employment scams have many different twists. Some scammers target people looking to earn extra money by offering a person a job that involves spending money up front for "training" or a "start-up kit" that the victim never receives.
Other fraudsters may send a fake check to a "new hire" and ask them to cash it, keep some of the money as payment, and then wire what's left back to them.
The victims in both of these situations end up losing their money and a job they thought they had. Consumers should be aware that no legitimate company will ask them to pay money in order to earn money.
"Consumers should never send money to someone they really don't know. While they are enjoying their holidays, fraudsters are hard at work plotting to take their money," said Juan Agualimpia, executive vice president of ScamAwareness.org. "Our organization works year-round to help spread the word about common scams and we hope that all consumers will use ScamAwareness.org as a resource this holiday season to learn how to spot scams and protect themselves and their family members."
Consumers who think they've been scammed should contact their local police immediately. More information about these scams and others can be found at scamawareness.org.
IMEC receives $4 million federal grant
- Details
- Published on 23 November 2016
- Written by Paul Gordon
The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center at Bradley University has been awarded $4 million in federal funding, announced Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, D-17.
The funding is from the U.S. Department of Labor’s “America’s Promise” program and it will be used to establish and grow regional partnerships between workforce agencies, education and training providers and employees, Bustos said.
“Our region has a rich manufacturing history, and nothing is more important than creating good-paying jobs that can support a family,” she said. “I’m proud to announce federal funding to support workforce development programs because we need to ensure that people have the skills to succeed in today’s 21st century economy. Together, we must continue working to create jobs and grow Illinois’ manufacturing future.”
Bustos has been a strong proponent of our region’s manufacturing economy. In January, she hosted her annual Economic Summit, which focused on closing the skills gap facing many manufacturers. She also has introduced the Boosting America’s Exports Act, aiming to give small and medium sized businesses and manufacturers the tools they need to sell their American-made products in new markets.
IMEC was established in 1996 to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Illinois' small and mid-sized manufacturing firms. The center links the long-term plans and goals of its manufacturing partners with on-site implementation services by identifying performance gaps, solving these gaps, and building a culture to support sustained improvements. “We help optimize operating capacity, implement advanced product and process innovations, increase sales and enter new markets, and improve profitability,” the IMEC website says.
“IMEC customizes every solution to address the client's specific needs, uses training to transfer knowledge and skills to the client's employees, and serves as a mentor and coach to sustain success,” it said. Follow-up and continuing discussions with clients are a big part of the program, to determine if objectives are being met.
The organization said that every dollar invested in its program generates $20 in client sales, cost savings and productivity improvements. “We are committed to providing a return on investment.”
Professional Truck Drivers Dole Out Extra Serving of Thanksgiving Safety Tips
- Details
- Published on 23 November 2016
- Written by PRNewswire
American Trucking Associations and ATA's Share the Road highway safety program have offered life-saving driving tips to motorists ahead of what is being billed as one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
"With more families out on the road this week, we all need to take a few extra precautions in order to make sure we all get to the Thanksgiving dinner table safely," said Share the Road professional truck driver Scott Woodrome, of FedEx Freight. "Many of the truck drivers you see on the highway this week are making last minute deliveries to grocery stores, giving folks one more chance to pick up everything they need to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday."
More than 48 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving weekend, according to AAA, making it one of the most heavily traveled weeks of the year. Added traffic volume can contribute to more risky driving conditions and motorists should be fully prepared for congestion and reduced speeds. Share the Road recently released the Share the Road Instructional Video in order to spread truck safety messages to the millions of motorists who will be driving alongside large trucks this week. The video, featuring professional truck drivers, gives an 8-minute recap of critical safe-driving habits and has already been viewed by thousands of motorists – including truck drivers and the general motoring public.
"The professional truck drivers in the Share the Road Instructional Video are highly-trained drivers who have accrued millions of accident-free miles. Based on overwhelming industry feedback, it's evident to ATA that this video is already saving lives and we want to get the Share the Road message out to as many people as possible," said ATA COO and Executive Vice President of Industry Affairs Elisabeth Barna. "Taking a few minutes to refresh your memory on important driving skills or sharing this video with a friend or colleague can make a major impact on safety this week."
Deer hunting season is now in full swing throughout many parts of North America and deer are most active during the fall and winter seasons. Motorists must be fully aware when traveling on rural – and urban – roadways, especially during nighttime hours. Eliminating distractions gives drivers a better chance of making split-second decisions that could prove to be life-saving. Remember, when one deer is visible, there are oftentimes others nearby.
Winter driving presents many different challenges for motorists. High wind and blowing snow contribute to reduced visibility in many stretches of the Midwest. Similarly, freezing temperatures can have a profound impact on vehicles and the roadways. A thorough pre-trip inspection and understanding of driving conditions can play a significant role in driving success this holiday season.
"Colder weather settled in this week and I expect it's here to stay for the next few months," said Share the Road professional truck driver John McKown, of UPS Freight. "In wintery conditions, it's important to make sure your vehicle is prepared for extended trips. Check your wiper fluids, antifreeze, and pack a few extra blankets before you pull out of the driveway."
Share the Road professional drivers recommend these safety tips to drivers, and would like to remind motorists about some key elements of safe driving, including how to operate small passenger vehicles near large tractor-trailers.
- Buckle Up: A seat belt will not prevent a collision, but it will save a life.
- Remove ice and snow from your vehicle: Clear your windows and roof of snow to ensure you have maximum visibility and avoid creating a hazard for the vehicle behind you. Don't allow ice and snow to create additional blind spots on your vehicle.
- Slow Down: Chances of a crash nearly triples when driving faster than surrounding traffic.
- Do not drive impaired: Driving is a great responsibility and your fellow travelers are relying on safe, attentive drivers to respectfully share the road and make good decisions.
- Be aware of truck blind spots: Trucks deliver your favorite Thanksgiving traditions – turkeys, cranberries, mashed potatoes and all kinds of tasty pies – so make it easy on them by staying out of blind spots. Pass on the left where the truck's blind spot is much smaller.
- Keep your eyes on the road: Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents and one of the leading causes of death amongst teenagers. Even just two seconds of distraction time doubles the chances of an accident. Use your cell phone when stopped and never text while driving.
- Do not cut in front of large trucks: Remember trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them. Fully loaded tractor-trailers can take the length of a football field plus both end zones to make a complete stop. Ask your favorite quarterback how far that is. Hint: it's far.
- Prepare your vehicle for long distance travel: Before you head out to your aunts, uncles and cousins, check your wipers and fluids and have your radiator and cooling system serviced. Simple maintenance before you leave your home can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road.
- Prepare yourself for long distance travel: The vehicle needs maintenance and the driver needs plenty of rest and hydration to function at his or her best. If the turkey is making you feel drowsy, pull over and wait until you are more alert.
- Leave early and avoid risks: Leave early to reduce anxiety about arriving late. Road conditions may change due to inclement weather or traffic congestion.
- Be aware of the vehicle in front of you: Leave extra room between you and the vehicle ahead.
Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations that educates all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually. The safety program is sponsored by Mack Trucks Inc., and supported by TA-Petro, Pre-Pass, Hyundai Translead, OmniTracs, SmartDrive, Mack Leasing, Bendix and Spireon. www.atastr.org. Follow the Share the Road on Twitter and Facebook.
By the Numbers: Thanksgiving
- Details
- Published on 23 November 2016
- Written by The Peorian
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims — early settlers of Plymouth Colony — held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation's first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America. These include the British colonists in Virginia as early as 1619.
The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as the event became a national holiday 153 years ago (Oct. 3, 1863) when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt clarified that Thanksgiving Day should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month to encourage earlier holiday shopping, never on the occasional fifth Thursday.
Where to Feast
118.3 million: The number of occupied housing units across the nation in the second quarter of 2016 — potential stops for Thanksgiving dinner.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership
4.6 million: The number of multigenerational households in the United States in 2015. It is possible these households, consisting of three or more generations, will have to purchase large quantities of food to accommodate all the family members sitting around the table for the holiday feast, even if there are no guests.
Source: 2015 American Community Survey, Table B11017
4: The number of places in the United States named after the holiday's traditional main course. Turkey Creek Village, Louisiana, had 444 residents in 2015, followed by Turkey City, Texas (396); Turkey Creek census designated place (CDP), Arizona (351); and Turkey Town, North Carolina (296). There are also 11 townships in the United States with "Turkey" in the name. (Please note that the Turkey Creek CDP, Arizona, population total pertains to the 2010-2014 American Community Survey and is not statistically different from the population estimates of the other three places.)
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 Population Estimates
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey
7: The number of places and townships in the United States named Cranberry, a popular side dish at Thanksgiving. Cranberry Township (Butler County), Pennsylvania., was the most populous of these places in 2015, with 30,458 residents. Cranberry Township (Venango County), Pennsylvania was next with 6,513 residents.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 Population Estimates and 2010 Census Summary File
33: The number of counties, places and townships in the United States named Plymouth, as in Plymouth Rock, the landing site of the first Pilgrims. The two counties named Plymouth, are in Massachusetts (510,393 residents) and Iowa (24,800 residents).
Plymouth city, Minn., is the most populous place, with 75,907 residents in 2015.
There is one township and one census designated place in the United States named Pilgrim: (1) a township in Dade County, Mo., had a population of 128 and (2) a census designated place in Michigan, had a population of 41. There are also Mayflower city, Ark., whose population was 2,431, and Mayflower Village, Calif., whose population was 5,779.
Note: Townships have been included in these counts from 12 states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin) where the primary governmental or administrative divisions of a county serve as general-purpose local governments that can perform the same governmental functions as incorporated places. These county subdivisions are known as minor civil divisions, and the Census Bureau presents data for these in all products for which place data are provided.
(Please note that population totals for the two places on the list that are census designated places — Pilgrim, Michigan, and Mayflower Village, California, — pertain to the 2010-2014 American Community Survey.)
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2015 Population Estimates
U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey
Participants in the First Feast
24.0 million: The number of U.S. residents of English ancestry as of 2015. Some could very well be descendants of the Plymouth colonists who participated in the autumn feast that is widely believed to be one of the first Thanksgivings, especially the 650,000 living in Massachusetts.
Source: 2015 American Community Survey, Table B04006
6,500: The number of members of the Wampanoag American Indian tribal grouping as of 2010, roughly half of whom resided in Massachusetts. The Wampanoag were in attendance at the first Thanksgiving, playing a lead role in the historic event, and were essential to the survival of the colonists during the newcomers' first year.
Sources: 2010 Census American Indian and Alaska Native Summary File, Table DP-1
American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving, National Museum of the American Indian
Preparing the Feast … Enjoying the Day … and the Aftermath
98.6%: The percentage of households in 2011 with a gas or electric stove — essential for cooking their Thanksgiving feast. Another 96.8 percent had a microwave, also helpful in preparing the meal.
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2011,Table 3
98.3% :The percentage of households with a television in 2011. No doubt, many guests either before, after or perhaps even during the feast will settle in front of their TVs to watch some football.
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2011, Table 3
35.8%: The percentage of households with a stand-alone food freezer in 2011, which they may want to use to preserve their Thanksgiving leftovers. Far more (99.2 percent) have a refrigerator. Once all the guests leave, it will be time to clean up. Fortunately, 69.3 percent have a dishwasher to make the task easier.
Source: Extended Measures of Well-Being: Living Conditions in the United States: 2011, Table 3
Culinary Delights
65,975: The number of supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores in the United States in 2014. These establishments are expected to be extremely busy around Thanksgiving as people prepare for their delightful meals.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 44511
3,109: The number of baked goods stores in the United States in 2014 — a potential place to visit to purchase tasty desserts.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445291
2,798: The number of fruit and vegetable markets in the United States in 2014 — a great place to find holiday side dishes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 County Business Patterns, NAICS Code 445230
243.0 million: The forecasted number of turkeys raised in the United States in 2016. That is up 4 percent from the number raised during 2015.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
44.0 million: The forecasted number of turkeys raised in Minnesota in 2016. Minnesota topped in turkey production, followed by North Carolina (33.0 million), Arkansas (26.0 million), Indiana (20.0 million), Missouri (19.7 million) and Virginia (17.0 million).
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/tuky0916.pdf
$19.3 million: The value of U.S. imports of live turkeys in 2015, with 99.9 percent of them coming from Canada and the remaining from the United Kingdom. When it comes to sweet potatoes, the Dominican Republic was the source of 37.9 percent ($5.5 million) of total imports ($14.5 million). The United States ran a $10.6 million trade deficit in live turkeys during the period but had a surplus of $126.2 million in sweet potatoes.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division
859.0 million pounds: The forecasted weight of cranberries produced in the United States in 2016. Wisconsin was estimated to lead all states in the production of cranberries, with 521.0 million pounds, followed by Massachusetts (estimated at 207.0 million pounds). New Jersey, Oregon and Washington were also estimated to have substantial production, ranging from 19.4 to 58.8 million pounds.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
3.1 billion pounds: The total weight of sweet potatoes — another popular Thanksgiving side dish — produced by major sweet potato producing states in 2015.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service
