A Recap of This Week’s Top News – May 19, 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 13, to Friday, May 19. 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:

• Experts are suggesting that outdoor learning for young children could prove to be beneficial. A recent article by the Washington Post details the explosion of “nature preschools” that have gained popularity in their claimed benefit in reducing children’s stress levels and build problem-solving skills.
• Since the pandemic, more students are experiencing school-avoidance, meaning students refuse to go to school or have trouble making it through the school day. The increase in school-avoidance is exasperating already elevated rates of mental health issues in American’s youth.
• President Biden is taking a step towards in mending America’s educational divide” by reinforcing the narrative that getting a good job doesn’t always require a college education. The New York Times covered the President’s mission to reach workers without college degrees in his campaign for reelection.
• Campus pantries are becoming essential to battling food insecurity for students. A recent article by The Guardian explains how community pantries at schools are helping students meet their basic needs while completing their degree.

Health News:

• On Monday, President Biden selected cancer surgeon Monica Bertagnolli as the new leader of the National Institutes of Health, making her the second woman to ever fill the role.
• The World Health Organization released guidance this week cautioning people against artificial sweeteners. The recommendation said that regular consumption of artificial sweeteners could “increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and mortality in adults.”
• As pandemic caution continues to fade, a recent study recommends that patients still wear masks in doctors’ offices. The study said that masks are a “good safety measure” and could protect you from other people sick with COVID-19, the flu, or other respiratory viruses while in the office.
• A recent study shows that tokophobia—or the fear of giving birth—is extremely common. According to the study, fear was higher in the United States than Europe and Australia, and higher in Black mothers.