By Staff
Thursday, November 7, 2024 4:49 PM
A new report, titled
Trends in Veteran Disability Status and Service-Connected Disability 2008-2022 from the U.S. Census Bureau finds that the number of veterans suffering from service-connected disabilities is on the rise. Between 2008 and 2022 the number of veterans with service-connected disabilities rose from 15 percent to 30 percent. These figures include post-9/11 veterans and those who have served since September 2001.
The report also found that in 2022, post-9/11 veterans were 8.9 percent more likely to have a cognitive disability while the same type of disability among other veterans was 4.8 percent.
Post-9/11 veterans in 2022 were more likely to report a high service-connected disability rating. Those with a service-connected disability had a 50 percent chance of reporting a high service-connected disability at a rate of 70 percent or greater, up from 27 percent in 2008.
By Staff
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 1:54 PM
Organizations are taking on cybersecurity risks by bolstering budgets and tightening response actions, according to Deloitte’s latest survey, titled
The Promise of Cyber, which finds that cybersecurity is becoming a significant part of overall business strategies.
The survey revealed that businesses are increasing the responsibility and strategic influence assigned to chief information security officers (CISOs), promoting further involvement from the board on cybersecurity-related matters, and turning to measures like artificial intelligence (AI). According to new data, there is a greater urgency for securing cyber systems with 25 percent of respondents from cyber-mature businesses reporting 11 or more cybersecurity incidents in the past year, a 7 percent increase of incidents compared with the 2023 survey.
Data analyzers say that the best way to combat cyberattacks is to increase tech-savvy CISOs and increase education on the threat of AI-generated cybersecurity risks. The survey found that approximately one-third of respondents had seen a significant increase in CISO involvement during strategic conversations about tech-related capabilities in the past year.
Respondents are increasingly seeing cybersecurity as an essential component of their enterprise tech stack, budgeting strategies and future business plans, according to the survey.
The top three goals of boosting cybersecurity initiatives among respondents are protecting intellectual property, improving threat detection and response and increasing efficiency and agility.
Overall, 83 percent of respondents said measures like qualitative risk assessments and benchmarking are an integral part of their overall cybersecurity strategy. Meanwhile, 58 percent of respondents noted they expect to begin integrating cybersecurity spending with budgets for other programs, such as digital transformation initiatives, IT programs and cloud investments.
By Staff
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 11:49 AM
Shoppers are ready to spend their money this holiday season, according to the latest
Spending Pulse insights from Mastercard, which projected that spending during the holiday season, between November 1 and December 24, 2024, is expected to climb 3.2 percent compared with the same time period in 2023. The report stated that current economic trends have left consumers with “less of a cushion this season.”
In 2023, according to Mastercard data, U.S. holiday shoppers were focused on taking their power back. This year, however, it is expected shoppers will be making similar spending choices but will be feeling the financial pinch.
A shorter shopping season may impact sales this year; however, many consumers have already begun online shopping. It’s predicted that online retail sales will grow by more than 7 percent this year, compared with 2023.
Additionally, prices for typical holiday items, including electronics and appliances, apparel, sporting goods, personal care products and jewelry, have been either declining or increasing modestly over the last year, according to study data.
The report noted that the Mountain and Sunbelt states have experienced strong in-migration and have healthier economies with greater business formation and job creation, which may impact holiday sales. Meanwhile, areas like the Northeast and Midwest, which have been struggling financially, may have a slower shopping season.
By Staff
Monday, November 4, 2024 11:42 AM
Drivers continue to get a break at the pump as gas prices have stalled, according to a
new report from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). The report revealed that low oil costs and tepid domestic gasoline demand have kept prices hovering around $3.13 in recent weeks. This is 8 cents less compared with the same time in September and 34 cents less than a year ago.
The top three most expensive gas markets in the U.S. are Hawaii where fuel averages $4.59, followed by California at $4.56 and Washington at $4.03.
The least expensive markets are Texas at $2.68, Mississippi at $2.69 and Oklahoma at $2.70.
Prices to power electric vehicles also remain low. The latest data from AAA finds that 1.2 million households have one or more electric vehicles.
The national average for a kilowatt of electricity at public charging stations fell below 34 cents, according to AAA. Additional new data from the Energy Information Administration finds that at the end of October, gas demand increased from 8.83 million barrels per day to 9.15 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 213.6 million barrels to 210.9 million barrels, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels daily.
By Staff
Friday, November 1, 2024 1:36 PM
Most Americans appreciate Daylight Savings Time because they get an extra hour of sleep, however, for many Americans, it also acts as a reminder to have the right eyewear for driving. According to the latest American Automobile Association (AAA) survey, 6 in 10 U.S. drivers rely on prescription eyewear when driving. The return of Daylight Savings Time means spending more time driving in the dark, so the AAA is reminding drivers to check their prescriptions.
A
study published in
Current Biology found there was a 6 percent increase in fatal accident risk in the U.S. following Daylight Saving Time. The AAA revealed that 62 percent of drivers use prescription eyewear for more than just reading, including sunglasses and contact lenses.
Most drivers, however, understand the importance of wearing prescription eyewear when required. Ninety-four percent of respondents said they wear their glasses as mandated on their driver's license.
As Daylight Saving Time’s end means it will get dark earlier, so AAA is making the following recommendations for drivers:
● Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing the following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you.
● Keep your eyes moving. Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves or at intersections, as these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles.
● Look at the sides of objects. In dim light, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.
● Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white-painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.
By Staff
Thursday, October 31, 2024 1:27 PM
Teens are looking for new post-secondary career paths according to a
survey conducted by Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization that helps young people develop the skills they need to be successful in the global economy.
In the past, many teens would go on to traditional careers such as teachers or lawyers. However, new data finds that 47 percent of teens are interested in starting a business as adults and utilizing Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in place of employees.
Overall, 71 percent of respondents said they would likely consider starting a business as an adult, down from 76 percent compared with 2023.
Many young people discover career paths through information they have gathered at school. One in five teens said they were likely to start a business based on resources they had received in a class or program at school, while 29 percent said they would be inspired by a social media influence.
Furthermore, 10 percent said they were interested in a career as a social media influencer, followed by running a service business at 12 percent and owning a retail shop at 10 percent.
By Staff
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 3:05 PM
Despite making up a majority of those employed in the profession, female pharmacists continue to receive financial compensation well below their male counterparts, according to a
new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. The report revealed that the number of pharmacists rose from more than 286,000 in 2018 to 337,4000 in 2023, a near 18 percent increase. Of those pharmacists employed in the industry, up to 62 percent are female.
The report noted that male pharmacists’ annual salaries decreased from $153,800 in 2018 to $136,200 in 2023, however, female pharmacists continued to still make less than their male counterparts. Female pharmacists’ annual salaries also declined from $147,800 in 2018 to $130,500 in 2023, a difference of more than 4.5 percent.
Presently, women have made up about 47 percent of the overall workforce in the United States since 2018, but they have a much higher representation in the pharmacy profession.
According to the Census Bureau, the earnings disparity between male and female workers, including pharmacists, reflects the continued gender inequality in the workplace.
By Staff
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 10:56 AM
With the election just days away, the U.S. Postal Service anticipates a delivery surge. The mail delivery service reminds voters that those who choose to mail in their ballot should do so before election day or at least a week before their election office needs to receive them.
According to
Postal Service data, the organization anticipates similar service performance to the 2020 general election. During this period, 99.89 percent of ballots mailed from voters to election officials were delivered within one week.
Additionally, 97.9 percent of ballots mailed from voters to election officials were delivered within three days, and 99.7 percent were delivered within five days.
In the first three weeks of October, 99.9 percent of ballots (combined: outbound from election officials to voters and inbound from voters to election officials) were delivered within a week, while the Postal Service delivered outbound ballots (to voters) in 2.0 days and 98.3 Percent of inbound ballots (from voters to election officials) were delivered within 3 days.
To keep pace with the increased volume of mail, the Postal Service is deploying extraordinary measures in the final weeks of the election season. It says these measures will swiftly move ballot mail entered close to or on Election Day and/or the state's return deadline.
The Postal Service's extraordinary measures include but are not limited to:
● Extra deliveries and collections;
● Special pick-ups;
● Specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery to boards of elections; and
● Local handling and transportation of ballots.
The measures will continue through Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, and extend through the last day in each state that boards of elections will accept completed mail-in ballots as timely.
By Staff
Monday, October 28, 2024 3:10 PM
New vehicles are making driving safer. A
new report from AAA finds that new model vehicles with automatic emergency braking (AEB) avoided 100 percent of forward collisions when tested at speeds up to 35 mph. This is a more than 50 percent improvement over similar tests on 2017 - 2018 model vehicles.
AEB uses forward-facing cameras and other sensors to automatically tell the car to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent.
Despite most new vehicles being equipped with AEB, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) requiring automakers to include AEB in their vehicles by 2029.
A statement from AAA noted that the progression of AEB systems in vehicles has demonstrated substantial improvement over time. The auto insurance company added the newest models were capable of avoiding potential collisions altogether at slower speeds; an improvement in AEB technology is a promising development that significantly reduces the risk of collisions on the road.
With more advanced stopping capabilities, AAA is warning drivers not to become too dependent on the technology, noting it is not a replacement for an attentive driver.
When AAA engineers added test scenarios to assess the limits of current AEB systems at higher speeds, the results were somewhat diminished. Three out of four vehicles evaluated avoided a 45-mph collision. For those vehicles that avoided a collision at 45 mph, the test speed was increased to 55 mph. None of the remaining test vehicles avoided a collision at 55 mph.
A NHTSA rule released in 2024 continues the drive to improve stoppage speeds, requiring new vehicles to avoid a forward collision at speeds up to 62 mph by 2029.
By Staff
Friday, October 25, 2024 10:44 AM
Consumers are in the giving mood this holiday season, according to a
new report from the National Retail Federation (NRF), conducted by Proper Insights & Analytics. The report revealed that that consumers are expected to spend an average of $902 per person on gifts, food, decor and seasonal items, an increase of $25 per person compared with 2023.
Experts at the NRF believe the increase in holiday spending is attributed to gifts for family members. Of the $902 shoppers plan to spend, the NRF noted that approximately $641 is on gifts for family, friends, co-workers and more, an increase from $620 spent last year. The remaining $261 will be spent on other seasonal items such as food or candy, decorations, greeting cards and other holiday items, according to the survey.
A resounding 92 percent of respondents said they planned to celebrate winter holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa this year, in line with 2023. Of these, 45 percent of holiday shoppers said they planned to browse and buy items before November, up 40 percent compared with 10 years ago.
The survey noted that 59 percent of shoppers are planning on getting a head start on shopping for budgetary reasons, while 45 percent said they wanted to avoid the stress of last-minute shopping. Additionally, 42 percent of respondents said they were trying to avoid crowds and get the best deals. Despite the drive to get ahead of shopping this year, 62 percent of respondents said they still didn’t plan on finishing their holiday shopping until December.
By Staff
Thursday, October 24, 2024 10:45 AM
A
new survey from
Medscape finds that physicians are happier with insurance company reimbursement than government programs. According to new data, 40 percent of physicians said they feel that private payers materially affect their treatment decisions. The survey noted that doctors and their employers feel they have more leverage in the negotiations with private insurers, allowing them to better comply with industry guidelines and provide more efficient service to patients.
An increase in the popularity of high-deductible plans has resulted in higher patient balances that are more difficult for providers to collect than private payers, the report noted.
Six in 10 physicians reported that their support staff is devoting more time to billing compliance than 5 years ago. Meanwhile, one-third of physicians noted that staff hours devoted to processing prior authorizations have also increased in the past 5 years.
Nearly 40 percent of physicians said that private payers wielded “quite a bit” or a “great deal” of influence over their treatment decisions. Additionally, half of doctors surveyed said they think their employer has a positive relationship with insurance companies.
By Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 10:50 AM
Business jets are in high demand according to the 33rd annual
Global Business Aviation Outlook recently published by Honeywell, a company that specializes in aerospace and building automation. New data shows that up to 8,500 new business jets worth more than $280 billion will be delivered over the next decade.
New business jet deliveries are expected to climb by 12 percent compared with 2024. Additionally, fleet additions remain consistent with 2024 results, remaining at around 3 percent of the fleet, according to the report.
Ninety percent of respondents said they plan to fly more in 2025. As travel continues to reach pre-pandemic levels, experts predict that overall, large jets are expected to account for about two-thirds of all expenditures of new business jets in the next five years, consistent with last year's results.
Meanwhile, 82 percent of respondents considered “performance" among their top three most important criteria when purchasing their next aircraft, followed by cost at 60 percent, the report said.
By Staff
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 12:15 PM
Generative AI is transforming the software development lifecycle (SDLC), according to a
new report from MIT Technology Review Insights, a division of MIT Technology Review that conducts research and analysis to create content about technology. The report finds that more business leaders are using AI to help assist in the creation of new software.
New data shows that 94 percent of leaders use generative AI for software development, but despite this, only 12 percent of respondents said that generative AI has “fundamentally” changed how they develop software.
Generative AI is used in several key areas of software development, including design and prototyping at 65 percent, code generation at 61 percent, and ideation and requirement development at 59 percent.
The report noted that future gains in the use of AI in developing software are widely anticipated, with 38 percent of respondents believing generative AI will “substantially” change the SDLC across most organizations in one to three years.
The response to generative AI in the development of software has been mostly positive, with 46 percent of respondents reporting generative AI is already meeting expectations. Meanwhile, 49 percent of tech leaders said they believe advanced AI tools, such as assistants and agents, will lead to efficiency gains or cost savings, according to the report.
By Staff
Monday, October 21, 2024 2:04 PM
Business leaders are concerned about the impact the U.S. election will have on their ability to stay ahead of global competitors, according to a
new report from Ernst & Young LLP. The survey finds that 74 percent of tech leaders think the results of the election will have an effect on their ability to stay competitive in the next two to four years.
Specific focus areas of AI investment include hiring AI-specific talent, back-office functions and cybersecurity. As companies look to further develop AI initiatives, there will be a growing need to hire AI-specific talent, while also restructuring and/or reducing legacy job functions in exchange for other in-demand functions.
New data shows that 82 percent of companies plan to increase their investment in AI by 50 percent or more in the next year.
Tech leaders said around 63 percent of their organization's AI initiatives have successfully moved to the implementation phase. However, organizations that employ more employees report less success in moving AI initiatives to the implementation phase.
More than 80 percent of tech leaders surveyed said they foresee reducing or restructuring head count from legacy functions to other in-demand functions, and 77 percent anticipate an increase in hiring for AI-specific talent.
Additionally, 40 percent of technology leaders say their company plans to focus next year's AI investments on human capital efforts, such as training.
By Staff
Friday, October 18, 2024 7:19 PM
Economic uncertainty has not put a damper on the holiday shopping season. A newly released
2024 Deloitte holiday retail survey finds that consumers are planning to spend an average of $1,778 this season, up 8 percent compared with 2023.
Experts say the increased spending is being driven by an improved economic outlook and has created a shift in how consumers are spending their money this year. Spending on items such as experiences is up 16 percent this year, compared with 2023, and spending on non-gifts, decor and party accessories is up 9 percent.
Seven in 10 respondents said they had made plans to cut spending on self-gifting and are expecting to shop at least one promotional event.
Shoppers are also looking for a bargain, with 62 percent reporting they will shift brands if a preferred brand is too expensive, and 48 percent say they will be shopping at more affordable retailers.
Multichannel shopping continues to grow in popularity, especially among younger buyers, with 48 percent of respondents reporting they plan to shop on smartphones, while 13 percent plan to purchase on social media. More specifically, Gen Z is embracing these channels more, according to Deloitte, with 58 percent planning to shop on their smartphone and 20 percent planning to buy gifts on social media.