National Population by Characteristics Datasets: 2010-2016

"These datasets feature Vintage 2016 population estimates by age. Additional files featuring sex, race, and Hispanic origin detail will be added in mid-2017. Until that time, please refer to Vintage 2015 for the full suite of products by demographic characteristics..".
Population characteristics

Cybersecurity: Critical Infrastructure Authoritative Reports and Resources

"Critical infrastructure is defined in the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56, §1016(e)) as “systems and assets, physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health and safety, or any combination of those matters.”

Presidential Decision Directive 63, or PDD-63, identified activities whose critical infrastructures should be protected: information and communications; banking and finance; water supply; aviation, highways, mass transit, pipelines, rail, and waterborne commerce; emergency and law enforcement services; emergency, fire, and continuity of government services; public health services; electric power, oil and gas production; and storage. In addition, the PDD identified four activities in which the federal government controls the critical infrastructure: (1) internal security and federal law enforcement; (2) foreign intelligence; (3) foreign affairs; and (4) national defense..."
Cybersecurity

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Background and Summary

"Beginning in 2007, U.S. financial conditions deteriorated, leading to the near-collapse of the U.S. financial system in September 2008. Major commercial banks, insurers, government-sponsored enterprises, and investment banks either failed or required hundreds of billions in federal support to continue functioning. Households were hit hard by drops in the prices of real estate and financial assets, and by a sharp rise in unemployment. Congress responded to the crisis by enacting the most comprehensive financial reform legislation since the 1930s.

Then-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner issued a reform plan in the summer of 2009 that served as a template for legislation in both the House and Senate. After significant congressional revisions, President Obama signed H.R. 4173, now titled the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203), into law on July 21, 2010.

Perhaps the major issue in the financial reform legislation was how to address the systemic fragility revealed by the crisis. The Dodd-Frank Act created a new regulatory umbrella group chaired by the Treasury Secretary—the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC)—with authority to designate certain financial firms as systemically important and subjecting them and all banks with more than $50 billion in assets to heightened prudential regulation. Financial firms were also subjected to a special resolution process (called “Orderly Liquidation Authority”) similar to that used in the past to address failing depository institutions following a finding that their failure would pose systemic risk.."
Dodd-Frank Act

See It Before You Sign It!

"Living off-campus while away at school is an exciting time in a college student’s life. With spring in the air, many students and parents are beginning their search for off- campus housing in time for the fall semester.  Parents and students are encouraged to put fire safety first.

Did you know that according to a study by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), 94% of fatal campus fires from 2000-2015 took place in off-campus housing? That same study showed 58% of fatal campus fires had no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that did not have working batteries.

Sadly, last year, a Southern Illinois University student died in an off- campus house fire and just this year, an Oregon college student, died in an off- campus apartment fire.

To help prevent these tragedies, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has teamed up with USFA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Campus Firewatch to help get the message out about off- campus housing fire hazards.  The See It Before You Sign It campaign encourages parents to take a more active role in helping their student find fire safe housing.

It is important to never sign a lease until you have seen the housing.  Once you see the house or apartment, make sure it has:

• Working smoke alarms in every sleeping room as well as outside each sleeping area and on each level of the apartment or house. Test monthly.
• Fire sprinklers
• Two ways out of each room for a safe escape.."

Living off campus

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks

"EPA has prepared the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks since the early 1990s. This annual report provides a comprehensive accounting of total greenhouse gas emissions for all man-made sources in the United States. The gases covered by the Inventory include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride. The Inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by “sinks,” e.g., through the uptake of carbon and storage in forests, vegetation, and soils..."
Greenhouse gases

Earth-Friendly Jobs

"Here at the Department of Labor, we track jobs, including jobs that take care of our planet. If you love the great outdoors, here are six career paths to consider:

Atmospheric Scientists, Including Meteorologists

What they do: Study the weather and climate, and how those conditions affect human activity and the earth in general.

• 2016 median pay: $92,460
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 11,800
• Projected growth 2014-24: 9 percent

Environmental Scientists and Specialists

What they do: Protect the environment and human health by cleaning up polluted areas, advising policymakers, or working with industry to reduce waste.

• 2016 median pay: $68,910
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 94,600
• Projected growth 2014-24: 11 percent

Geoscientists

What they do: Study the physical aspects of the Earth, such as its composition and structure, to learn about its past, present and future.

• 2016 median pay: $89,780
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 36,400
• Projected growth 2014-24: 10 percent

Hydrologists

What they do: Study how water moves across and through the Earth’s crust, and solve water quality or availability problems.

• 2016 median pay: $80,480
• Typical entry-level education: bachelor’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 7,000
• Projected growth 2014-24: 7 percent

Environmental engineering technicians

What they do: Carry out plans that environmental engineers develop to prevent or clean up environmental pollution.

• 2016 median pay: $49,170
• Typical entry-level education: associate’s degree
• Number of jobs 2014: 18,600
• Projected growth 2014-24: 10 percent.."

Earth friendly jobs

Prevent 350 Fall Fatalities and Stand-Down

"Construction contractors can prevent falls from heights. Plan ahead for safety, provide the right equipment, and train workers to use the equipment safely. Join the National Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction and Stand-Down.

In 2015, there were 350 fall fatalities out of 937 total fatalities in construction. Those deaths were preventable. There were more fatal injuries in construction than any other industry in the United States in 2014, accounting for nearly 20% of the nation’s 4,679 work-related deaths that year. (See Chart). Falls account for 35% of the work-related deaths suffered by construction workers (See Chart). Almost two-thirds of those fatal falls were from roofs, scaffolds, and ladders..."
Fall fatalities

Are you getting enough sleep?

"Learn how much sleep you need for good health.

People will often cut back on their sleep for work, for family demands, or even to watch a good show on television. But if not getting enough sleep is a regular part of your routine, you may be at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and stroke, poor mental health, and even early death. Even one night of short sleep can affect you the next day. Not surprisingly, you’re more likely to feel sleepy. On top of that, you’re more likely to be in a bad mood, be less productive at work, and to be involved in a motor vehicle crash.

How much sleep you need changes as you age. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend.."

Sleep

Meningococcal Vaccines for Preteens, Teens

"Meningococcal disease is not very common in the United States, but teens and young adults are at increased risk. There are licensed vaccines to help prevent the most common types of meningococcal disease in the United States.

CDC Recommends Meningococcal Vaccines for Preteens and Teens

All 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated with a single dose of a meningococcal conjugate vaccine. CDC recommends a booster dose at age 16. The booster dose gives teens continued protection during the ages when they are at highest risk. If your teenager missed getting a dose, ask their clinician about getting it now.

Teens and young adults (16 through 23 year olds) may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine, preferably at 16 through 18 years old.Multiple doses of serogroup B meningococcal vaccine are needed and the same brand must be used for all doses. Talk with your teen’s clinician if you are interested in serogroup B meningococcal vaccination..."
Meningococcal vaccines

The Changing Economics and Demographics of Young Adulthood: 1975-2016

"This report looks at changes in young adulthood over the last 40 years. It focuses on how the experiences of today’s young adults differ, in timing and degree, from what young adults experienced in the 1970s—how much longer they wait to start a family, how many have gone to college, and who are able to live independently of their parents. This report looks at a snapshot of the young adult population, defined here as 18 to 34 years old, and focuses on two periods: 1975 and today (using data covering 2012 to 2016 to reflect the contemporary period). Many of the milestones of young adulthood are reflected in the living arrangements of young people: when they move out of their parents’ home and when they form families. Because these milestones are tied to young adults’ economic security, the report also focuses on how education and work experience vary across young adult living arrangements..."
Demogrpahics of young adulthood

How Does CBO Estimate the Effects of Proposed Legislation Affecting Immigration?

"When CBO’s Director testified at Congressional hearings at the beginning of February, he was asked some questions about how CBO analyzes potential changes to immigration policy. Because answers during Congressional hearings must be brief, this blog post provides additional information.

What Factors Does CBO Consider When Estimating the Economic Effects of Proposed Legislation Affecting Immigration?

In 2013, CBO published an economic analysis of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S. 744). That act would have revised laws governing immigration and the enforcement of those laws, allowing for a significant increase in the number of noncitizens who could lawfully enter the United States permanently or temporarily. The bill also would have created a process for many currently unauthorized residents to gain legal status, subject to their meeting conditions specified in the bill..."

Immigration legislation

Child Abuse Prevention

"April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Division of Violence Prevention at CDC works to better understand the problem of child abuse and neglect and to prevent it before it begins.

Essentials for Childhood: Assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children is CDC's framework for preventing child abuse and neglect. 

Facts about Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse and neglect are significant public health problems in the United States.

• More than 1,670 children died in the United States in 2015 from abuse and neglect.
• According to child protective service agencies, about 683,000 children were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2015.
• One in 4 children have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives, and 1 in 7 children experienced abuse in the last year, according to self-reports from the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV). 
• The financial costs for victims and society are substantial. A CDC study showed the total lifetime cost associated with just 1 year of confirmed cases of child abuse or neglect is $124 billion...."

Child Abuse

Telegram Announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter

"he first engagement of the Civil War took place at Fort Sumter on April 12 and 13, 1861. After 34 hours of fighting, the Union surrendered the fort to the Confederates. Major Robert Anderson informed Secretary of War Simon Cameron of the surrender in this telegram, dated April 18..."
Fort Sumter

Measles: Make Sure Your Child is Fully Immunized

"Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be serious for young children. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

People in the United States still get measles, but it's not very common. That's because most people in this country are protected against measles through vaccination. However, measles is still common in other parts of the world, including many countries in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. Every year, unvaccinated people get measles while they are abroad and bring the disease into the United States and spread it to others.

Measles can spread quickly in communities where people are not vaccinated. Children and anyone else who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected. That's why it is so important to be up to date on vaccinations, including before traveling abroad..." 
Measles

Be Food Safe: Protect Yourself from Food Poisoning

"Foodborne illness, often called food poisoning, is a common, costly—yet preventable—public health problem. Each year, about 1 in 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die of foodborne diseases. Learn more about foodborne illnesses and what you can do to lower your chances of getting sick.

Common Foodborne Illnesses and Symptoms

The most common foodborne illnesses are norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter. In most affected persons, symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting and diarrhea, but in some cases, such life-threatening complications as organ failure occur.

In severe cases, foodborne illnesses can cause serious acute illness, long-term health problems or death. Young children, pregnant women, adults over 65, and people with weak immune systems are more likely to get food poisoning, and if they do get sick they might have more severe symptoms..."
Food safety