A Recap of This Week’s Top News – July 14, 2023

Changes to policy, scientific discovery, and expert recommendations and opinions all have the power to rapidly influence the landscape of a sector. Whether you’re a leader at a non-profit, a member of a university’s marketing department, or a stakeholder for a public health agency, being informed about the latest industry happenings can be the difference between exceeding and falling short of organizational goals. At Hager Sharp, our experts vigorously scan media coverage to identify areas of opportunity. And now, with the introduction of the Sharp Round-Up, you too can review what we consider to be some of the top news of the week.

Below you will find a compilation of news spanning the health and education, labor, and economy sectors. This list includes mainstream, DC-focused, and trade publication coverage from Saturday, July 8, to Friday, July 14. Let these clips serve as a resource when developing thoughtful strategies and use them to further foster organizational innovation and adaptability.

Here’s what you need to know.

Mainstream News:

• As outdoor workers struggle in a heat wave that has swept the nation, a new Washington Post article warns that there are few legal protections for workers in high temperatures. Laws typically vary by state, leaving workers across the country at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related injuries.

Education News:

• Some teachers and educators are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help create lesson plans, exams, and emails, with the technology even integrating district standards into the materials. While the use of AI in the classroom can be controversial, some teachers claim that it allows for more creativity, especially when a teacher needs help getting started.
• A recent article by the Chronicle of Higher Education explores how the importance of application essays is changing after the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. There’s now a “supercharged spotlight” on including personal stories and information in essays to help an applicant stand out, said the article.

Health News:

• A recent study shows that emergency mental health visits for young females increased by 22 percent during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase is thought to be due to pandemic-related disruptions, including online learning, increased stress, and even potential abuse at home.
• The CDC reported this week that almost 1 in 10 children in the United States have a diagnosed developmental disability. The statistics call for a greater focus on creating accommodations, information, and resources for the families and children affected.
• A new study confirms a link between racism and childhood obesity. According to the study, children who experienced racial discrimination were more likely than their peers to have a high body mass index (BMI) a year afterward. “Discrimination is a type of stressful life experience that has negative effects on health just like other types of stressful life experiences,” said one of the researchers in the USA Today article on the study.