(Family Features) Most Americans consider high-speed internet an essential household service. Yet in rural America, an estimated 25% of the population doesn’t have access to broadband, limiting their economic growth and access to career opportunities and resources such as education and health care.

The connectivity that expanding high-speed internet availability can provide creates opportunities, and some businesses are taking that mission quite seriously. For example, over the past year and a half, Cox Communications has expanded its fiber network to reach more than 55,000 households that were previously unserved or underserved.

Measuring the impact of access to high-speed internet is an important step in expanding availability and solving the digital equity problem. The 2023 Cox Expansion Impact Survey revealed 86% of customers with service for at least one month believe the service has improved their lives.

The survey also revealed three core areas where high-speed internet is changing lives for the better:

Retaining Younger Generations
As many young adults head off to college or leave their hometowns for better job opportunities, they contribute to shrinking rural communities. However, high-speed internet access can allow younger generations to remain in their communities with prospects of remote learning and working. In fact, 70% of survey respondents 30 or younger said they are more likely to stay in their communities if they can access a high-speed connection, and three-quarters of millennials and younger said they’re open to remote working opportunities, which makes staying in their communities possible.

By staying in their communities, rather than moving to urban areas to find employment, young adults are more likely to find affordable housing and less traffic. It also means the younger generation can stay close to the communities where they grew up, where their support network, including family members and friends, are nearby.

Driving Local Economic Prosperity
High-speed internet stimulates economic growth and businesses need it to succeed. When businesses do well and grow, their successes can have a multiplier effect on the local economy as residents have more job opportunities. In fact, the majority (53%) of survey respondents – including 75% of millennials and younger – feel more optimistic about their economic and employment future with the availability of high-speed internet in their communities.

Bridging Income and Education Gaps
For families without high-speed internet access, there are significant educational challenges, such as accessing educational resources available outside of their textbooks or classrooms, especially in lower-income households. Students lacking broadband often encounter difficulties completing homework, falling behind, receiving lower grades and sometimes even failing to graduate – potentially limiting career opportunities and future prosperity.

The majority of lower-income families surveyed (7 in 10) believe high-speed internet will improve their children’s test grades, and almost 90% said it will improve their abilities to apply to colleges or vocational schools after high school graduation. In fact, the survey revealed high-speed internet is twice as likely to improve the education of children in lower-income families than higher-income ones.

To learn more about the impact broadband has on rural communities, visit coxexpansionimpact.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
Cox Communications

(Family Features) Before the advent of antibiotics, infectious diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and diphtheria, were the most common causes of death in the industrialized world. Today, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and has been since 1921, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, more than half of people in the U.S. (51%) aren’t aware of that fact, according to a Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of the American Heart Association. What’s more, nearly half of all people in the U.S. (48.6%) have some type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke or, most notably, high blood pressure, according to the annual statistical update, “2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of U.S. and Global Data From the American Heart Association,” published in “Circulation.”

“Heart disease along with stroke, which is the fifth-leading cause of death, claim more lives in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, based on the most recent data available,” said Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and the Simon H. Stertzer Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford School of Medicine. “Finding that most people do not know the significant impact of heart disease is discouraging and even a bit frightening.”

While death rates from CVD have declined 60% since 1950 and the number of people in the U.S. dying from heart attack has dropped from 1 in 2 in the ’50s to about 1 in 8 today, challenges still remain.

In 2024, with Bold Hearts – the American Heart Association’s centennial celebration – the organization celebrates 100 years of progress and identified several issues that must be addressed to make the next century of life-saving work as impactful as the first 100 years:

• Scientific literacy must be enhanced to increase public knowledge and understanding about the methods and interpretation of scientific data.
• Non-traditional approaches to health care are needed to address the social and structural determinants of health by moving evidence-based approaches rapidly into communities to address food insecurity, transportation problems, education, housing, access to care, chronic psychosocial stress and other social needs.
• The interconnectedness of organ systems, mechanisms of disease and stages of life are critical to understanding the role cardiovascular health plays in overall health.
• Appreciation of systems of care will beimportant to achieving significant clinical benefits. Reliance on individual physicians may not be realistic in managing diseases involving multiple organ systems such as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic disease or disorders affecting the heart, brain and mind simultaneously.
• More funding for research is a critical need due to the pace of scientific advances. In the next century, laboratory experiments may demand more sophisticated equipment, translational science will incorporate expensive new technologies like artificial intelligence and population health will require greater computing power and larger sample sizes.

“There is much to learn from this historic shift in the reduction of deaths from infectious diseases and the current prevalence in deaths from cardiovascular diseases,” Wu said. “Through scientific research, technological advances and public health policy, most of these infectious diseases have become controlled, and many have been or are nearly eradicated. As we apply these same clinical and epidemiological methods to the someday hopeful eradication of heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association is making great progress. Although still too many people die each year, many are living longer, more productive lives while managing their cardiovascular disease and risk factors.”

To learn more, visit heart.org/centennial.

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, mental health awareness holds unprecedented significance. By understanding the urgent need for mental health awareness and access to proper care, we can create a more empathetic and supportive society. This blog post emphasizes the importance of Mental Health Awareness Month and highlights ways individuals can contribute to this cause throughout the year.

Breaking the Stigma:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a catalyst for open conversations about mental illness, aiming to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health. Through education and awareness, we can dispel myths and misconceptions, enabling a more inclusive and understanding environment for those facing mental health challenges.

Supportive Initiatives:
During this significant month, a multitude of activities and events take place to show support for mental health. These include educational programs, workshops, community discussions, and fundraising efforts. Such initiatives provide individuals, families, and communities with valuable resources, information, and support networks.

Individual Contributions:
As individuals, we can make a remarkable impact in promoting mental health awareness. Educating ourselves about mental health conditions allows us to understand the experiences of those living with them, fostering empathy and compassion. By sharing our own experiences or supporting those who do, we can help break the silence and encourage others to seek help without fear of judgment.

Support and Empathy:
Offering support and empathy to those struggling with mental health conditions is crucial. By lending a listening ear, being there for someone, and checking in on their well-being, we create meaningful connections that alleviate feelings of isolation. Opening up honest conversations about mental health strengthens the support network, cultivating an environment where individuals feel safe seeking help.

Prioritizing Our Well-being:
In the pursuit of mental health awareness, it is essential to prioritize our own well-being. Practicing self-care, engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation, and seeking help when needed are fundamental aspects of maintaining good mental health. By prioritizing our well-being, we become role models, fostering a culture that places as much value on mental health as physical health.

A Year-Round Commitment:
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder to carry the lessons learned throughout the year. By actively participating in mental health initiatives, advocating for equitable access to care, and supporting those facing mental health challenges, we create a society that genuinely values mental well-being. Let us work together to break down barriers, eliminate stigmas, and ensure that mental health is prioritized and addressed for all.

Mental Health Awareness Month acts as a rallying call to prioritize mental health and create a more compassionate and supportive society. By embracing the lessons learned during this month, we can contribute to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities throughout the year. Let us continue to educate ourselves, advocate for mental health, support others, and prioritize our own well-being, fostering an environment where mental health is celebrated and cared for. Together, we can make a difference.

What is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States. It is a time when various forms of media, local events, and film screenings are used to raise awareness about mental health. Mental Health America initiated this annual observance in the United States. (Source: Wikipedia)

Date: Wed, May 1, 2024 – Fri, May 31, 2024

See also…

• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
• Mental Illness Awareness Week (USA, first week of October)
• Mental Health Week, in Australia
• World Mental Health Day (October 10)

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