A Recap of This Week’s Top News – May 12, 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, May 6, to Friday, May 12. 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.

Education News:

• City officials announced Tuesday that elementary students in New York City will now be required to learn phonics as a part of their reading education. The city joins over 30 states that emphasize “evidence-based reading instruction” to increase literacy rates, according to the article.
• A recent survey by YouthTruth found that the rate of middle and high school students struggling with mental health issues has increased within the past three years. The survey also found that fewer students felt they had a trusted adult to discuss their mental health with at school.

Health News:

• A recent article by STAT News spoke to the benefits of community baby showers. The showers, often organized by local government or police departments, can provide vital resources to expectant mothers and their families, especially to mothers that couldn’t have a baby shower of their own. The community showers could inform families about the WIC program, maternal health, and infant mortality, and give them an opportunity to enter raffles for baby items like strollers, play sets, and more.
• According to the World Health Organization, the push to decrease rates of maternal and newborn deaths worldwide has slowed. According to the article, the data shows that more than 60 countries are set to miss 2030 targets, representing a death every 7 seconds since 2015.
• On Tuesday, the American Psychological Association released a set of 10 recommendations for teenage use of social media. Major themes were that parents and caregivers should monitor social media usage, especially when it detracts from a teen’s social, educational, or developmental benchmarks.
• New data shows that women with an “average risk” of breast cancer should start screening at age 40. Prior data from the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended women begin receiving mammograms at age 50.