Infotrak

For many teens, that first formal job is a rite of passage. Prof. Sarah J. Clark, MPH, Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics and Co-Director of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at the University of Michigan, shares the results of her organization's survey of parents, exploring their views of the pluses and minuses of teenage employment.

Despite America's prosperity, a significant number of people are living below the poverty line at any given time. Mark R. Rank, PhD, Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at Washington University in St. Louis, author of "The Poverty Paradox: Understanding Economic Hardship Amid American Prosperity," explains the reasons.

According to the FBI, Jewish people make up less than 2.5% the US population, yet are victims of 10% of all hate crimes. We'll learn more from Matthew Berger, Executive Director of the non-profit Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.

We often hear that walking is good for health, especially for seniors, but how many daily steps actually lower the risk of heart disease? Erin Dooley, PhD, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, has the answer.

A recent report shows historic highs in the employment of the disabled. Andrew Houtenville, PhD, Professor of Economics at the University of Hampshire and Research Director of the UNH Institute on Disability, explains what is driving historic highs in the employment of people with disabilities, and why disabled employment has outstripped the non-disabled since the start of pandemic lockdowns.

It's an artificial intelligence chatbot, otherwise known as ChatGPT. Ask it a question and you'll get a surprisingly intelligent answer. We asked ChatGPT to explain its strengths and weaknesses, and if there's a risk of bias in its responses. It also outlines the top 5 human endeavors in which it anticipates making the biggest impact.

What's the third leading cause of preventable deaths in America? If you guessed alcohol, you'd be right, but a new program targeting drunk drivers may lower the death count. We'll get the information you need to know from Beau Kilmer, PhD, McCauley Chair in Drug Policy Innovation, at the RAND Corporation and Co-Director, RAND Drug Policy Research Center.

If you've noticed a significant increase in fraudulent schemes lately, you'd be right. Rob Docters, Partner and Head of Ethics Practices at Abbey Road, LLP, co-author of "Ethics and Hidden Greed: Your Defense against Unethical Strategies and Violations of Trust" explains the factors causing the jump in fraud.

Being disabled as a child or adult isn't the end of the world, especially if you have support along the way. We'll hear inspiring thoughts on the topic from H Penny Mishkin, Columbia University occupational therapist, and author of "How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability," who managed a successful 30 year career despite having total blindness.

It seems that there are many paradoxes related to our health, and here's one of the latest: statin drugs, which are prescribed to lower cholesterol, have prevented millions of heart attacks, but a study by John P. Thyfault, PhD, Professor of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Director of the Health Activity Center at the University of Missouri, found that these meds may also counteract the benefits of exercise.

Tragically, suicide death rates have risen substantially among adolescents in the US. Deepa L. Sekhar, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Penn State College of Medicine, Executive Director of Penn State PRO Wellness, says improved screening at schools could lower the risk

Does a four-day workweek with a five-day paycheck sound like a dream to you? It's becoming a reality at hundreds of businesses, with positive results for both employees and companies. Juliet B. Schor, PhD, Professor of Sociology, Boston College, shares her landmark international study of the trend.

1 in 3 elderly Americans die with Alzheimers, or another form of dementia, but a recent study found that are common vitamin supplement may help ward off the debilitating disease. Samuel Zahinoor Ismail, MD FRCPC, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology, and Pathology at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O'Brien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary, shares his fascinating findings.

Could dyslexia actually be an advantage? Learning disabilities expert Brock L. Eide M.D., M.A., co-author of "The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain," says dyslexia's characteristics are actually trade-offs resulting from an entirely different pattern of brain organization and information processing.

School-age bullying officially happens to 1 in 5 students. but the CDC believes 50 to 75% of bullying incidents are never reported. How can parents protect their kids from bullies, and how can parents of bullies recognize the problem? Pamela Gockley, Certified Bullying Prevention Specialist, Founder and Executive Director of The Camel Project, discusses the culture of bullying in America.

The huge number of mass shootings across America has become almost routine, but a recent study found a common thread among shooters that could help prevent the violence. Samuel West, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Virginia State University, explains his important findings.

When the economy is shaky, that can spell opportunity for investors. It may even be the road to wealth. Candy Valentino, finance and wealth advisor, author of "Wealth Habits: Six Ordinary Steps to Achieve Extraordinary Financial Freedom," outlines outline2 six steps to grow wealth.

The most common genetic blood disorder in America is sickle cell disease, and there's a critical need for regular blood transfusions to manage the severe pain and other health risks. Yvette M. Miller, MD, Executive Medical Officer for the American Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center, explains why they're working to promote diversity in the blood supply.

Meaningful progress is being made to reduce veteran suicides. We'll talk with Matthew Miller, PhD, MPH, Executive Director for VA Suicide Prevention for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to learn what resources have made the difference.

Students in urban and rural schools are struggling. Teach For America is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for low-income students. We'll talk with CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard to find out why their program makes a dramatic difference in educational outcomes.