Conditionof Education: 2014

"The Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual Condition of Education report to help inform policymakers about the progress of education in the United States. This year’s report presents 42 indicators on important topics and trends in U.S. education. These indicators focus on population characteristics, participation in education, elementary and secondary education, and postsecondary education. This year’s Condition shows that about 90 percent of young adults ages 25 to 29 had a high school diploma or its equivalent in 2013, and that 34 percent had a bachelor’s or higher degree..."
Condition Education

Remembering and Celebrating life of Maya Angelou

A tribute to Maya Angelou from the Whitehouse.gov blog.
Maya Angelou

Preteen vaccines

"While your preteens and teens are thinking about all the fun things they'll be doing this summer, you're probably thinking about keeping them healthy and safe. When you're planning trips to get new swimsuits and sunscreen, make an appointment for vaccinations before the back-to-school rush begins at the doctor's office. Vaccines can help our kids stay healthy, and most states require certain vaccinations before school starts again in the fall..."
Preteen vaccines

Ten Things to Know about Valley Fever

"Valley fever is a fungal respiratory disease that can be devastating. Learning about valley fever can help you and your doctor recognize the symptoms early.

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is an infection caused by the fungus Coccidioides. People can get valley fever by breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air, although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick.

The disease can be difficult to diagnose, especially if you are unaware of it..."
Valley fever

Americans Are Walking More to Improve Their Health

"Improve your health by increasing your physical activity. Start with walking more as part of your daily routine.
Most everyone knows that physical activity is important for good health, but not enough actually do it. Obstacles abound, not the least of which is limited time. Fitting regular physical activity into your daily schedule may seem difficult at first, but the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are more flexible than ever, giving you the freedom to reach your physical activity goals through different kinds of activities. It's easier than you think!.."

Walking counts

Real Personal Income for States and Metropolitan Areas: 2008-2012

"Real personal income across all regions rose by an average of 2.3% in 2012. This growth rate reflects the year-over-year change in nominal personal income across all regions adjusted by the change in the national PCE price index. On a nominal basis, personal income across all regions grew an average of 4.2% in 2012. In 2012, the U.S. PCE price index grew 1.8%.

Growth in real state personal income from 2011 to 2012 ranged from a decline of 1.2% in South Dakota to an increase of 15.1% in North Dakota. These growth rates reflect the year-over-year change in the state’s nominal personal income, the change in the national PCE price index, and the change in the regional price parity for that state. After North Dakota, the states with the largest growth rates were Montana (3.7%), Indiana (3.7%), California (3.4%), and Mississippi (3.4%). South Dakota was the only state with a decline in real personal income..." Real personal income

Women in the Labor Force: a Databook, 2014

"This report presents historical and recent labor force and earnings data for women and men from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a national monthly survey of approximately 60,000 households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unless otherwise noted, data are annual averages from the CPS.."

Women and Labor force

South, West Have Fastest-Growing Cities, Census Bureau Reports; Three of Top 10 are in Texas Capital Area

"Austin has been the capital of Texas since 1839, and in 2013 the area became the nation's capital for population growth, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. San Marcos, Cedar Park and Georgetown — each near Austin — ranked among the 10 fastest-growing cities with populations of 50,000 or more during the year ending July 1, 2013. San Marcos was number one in percent growth for the second consecutive year, with Austin itself gaining more people (nearly 21,000) than any city with fewer than 1 million residents.

The South and West dominated the list of fastest-growing municipalities between 2012 and 2013, claiming all of the top 15, seven of which were in Texas. Frisco and McKinney (near Dallas), Odessa (in West Texas) and Pearland (near Houston) were the other Texas cities on the list. (See Table 1 for complete list.).."

Cities- population growth

Why Are Gasoline Prices Higher in Some Regions Than in Others?

"Although price levels vary over time, average retail gasoline prices are often highest in certain States or regions. Besides taxes, there are other factors that contribute to regional and even local differences in gasoline prices:

Distance from Supply Usually Means Higher Gas Prices

Gas prices in San Francisco, California, in the summer of 2008, were the highest they have ever been without adjustment for inflation.

Source: Stock photography (copyrighted)

Retail gasoline prices tend to be higher the farther it is sold from the source of supply: ports, refineries, and pipeline and blending terminals. About 60% of the crude oil processed by U.S. refineries in 2011 was imported, with most transported by ocean tankers. The U.S. Gulf Coast was the source of about 23% of the gasoline produced in the United States in 2011 and the starting point for most major gasoline pipelines, so those States farther from the refineries will most likely have higher.."
Gas prices

Lyme Disease: Ten things you always wanted to know about ticks..

"May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
To find out how to steer clear of Lyme disease during "picnic season" - a time when people are more likely to pick up ticks - the National Science Foundation spoke with NSF-funded disease ecologist Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., and program director Sam Scheiner of NSF's Division of Environmental Biology..."
Lyme disease

dousing the southwest in rain or leaving it bone dry, oscillations in the ocean can have huge effects on the weather.


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May is National Stroke Awareness Month

"Take the time to learn the signs and symptoms of stroke during May, which is National Stroke Awareness Month. A 2005 CDC survey found that only 38% of people could correctly identify all 5 symptoms of stroke and knew to call 9-1-1 if they thought that someone was having a stroke.
The key to recognizing a stroke is knowing the following signs and remembering that they occur suddenly:
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause..."
  Stroke

Don’t Let Measles Be Your Travel Souvenir

"Stay safe and healthy when traveling overseas. Measles is very contagious and can cause serious illness, even death. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated for measles before you travel.
Are you traveling overseas? You might not think about measles when you are preparing for your trip, but it is a health risk in many destinations. Make sure you and your family are vaccinated for measles and other disease before you travel. After your trip, you want to bring home fun souvenirs, a camera full of photos, and fantastic memories—NOT measles!.."
Measles and Travel

America's aging autos

"From 2008 to 2012, the average age of U.S. households’ vehicles increased as owners held on to their cars, trucks, and vans longer. The trend in aging autos coincides with declines in average household income in 2008; however,  subsequent recovery in households’ incomes and a return to previous levels of

expenditures on vehicles in 2012 do not appear to have reversed the pattern of aging.."

Aging Automobiles

Public High School Four - Year On - Time Graduation Rates and Event Dropout Rates: School Years 2010 – 11 and 2011 –12

Find data on the 4-year on-time graduation rates that provide measures of the percent of students that successfully complete high school in 4 years with a regular high school diploma.
Public high school graduation

Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2010

Find information on the latest research on ozone depletion.
Ozone depletion