ANN ARBOR—Identifying adults who are ambivalent about vaccines early in a pandemic and finding community leaders who can help spread reliable information within their communities could help reduce vaccine hesitancy, according to a new University of Michigan study. “These findings have important implications for public health messaging and planning. Fence-sitters are probably the people who… Continue reading To combat vaccine hesitation, identify and target ‘fence-sitters’ early in pandemic
News Tag: COVID-19
Detroit unemployment rate sits at 20%
Nearly 1 in 4 parents out of the labor force report they left in last year DETROIT—Detroit’s unemployment rate—the proportion of adults who are in the labor force but not currently employed—remains at 20%, virtually unchanged over the course of 2021, according to a new University of Michigan survey. This is less than half the… Continue reading Detroit unemployment rate sits at 20%
Black Michiganders: Key findings from U-M Poverty Solutions
ANN ARBOR—Black History Month, celebrated every February, highlights the experiences and honors the achievements of Black Americans throughout history. Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan highlights key data from its research that relates to Black Michiganders. 59% The percentage of Black Detroiters who were wearing masks early in the pandemic (March-April 2020). A representative… Continue reading Black Michiganders: Key findings from U-M Poverty Solutions
Career priorities emphasize passion over financial security during pandemic
ANN ARBOR—Job instability during the COVID-19 pandemic reshuffled the priorities of millions of workers, who placed greater importance on work passion rather than financial security, according to a newly published University of Michigan study. Researchers sought to learn more about what happens to the career priorities of college-educated workers who lost their jobs or were… Continue reading Career priorities emphasize passion over financial security during pandemic
Consumer sentiment sinks to decade low
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment fell throughout January, posting a cumulative loss of 4.8%, sinking to its lowest level since November 2011, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The Delta and Omicron variants were largely responsible, but other factors, some of which were initially triggered by COVID-19, have become independent forces shaping sentiment, said… Continue reading Consumer sentiment sinks to decade low
Neighborhoods play important role in older adults’ pandemic experience
ANN ARBOR—How have older adults adjusted to living under the pandemic? There’s no one-size-fits-all experience, according to University of Michigan researchers. In spring and summer 2020, U-M researchers Jessica Finlay and Lindsay Kobayashi launched a study to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed neighborhood environments and the way older adults age in place.… Continue reading Neighborhoods play important role in older adults’ pandemic experience
Having kids at home may reduce pandemic depression
ANN ARBOR—Kids have struggled throughout the pandemic—from attending school by Zoom video conferencing to quarantining from family and friends—but surprisingly having children at home may help adults feel less distressed. According to a new University of Michigan study, adults in households with children have fewer mental health problems than other adults living without kids. Child… Continue reading Having kids at home may reduce pandemic depression
Pamela Davis-Kean discusses impact of pandemic-related learning loss
In an article on WXYZ Detroit, Pamela Davis-Kean discussed a United Nations backed report which finds pandemic-related school closures could cost children $17 trillion in lifetime income: “If we don’t overcome some of this, there are groups of people who probably will not be in the economic situation that they might have been in two… Continue reading Pamela Davis-Kean discusses impact of pandemic-related learning loss
Consumer confidence: Omicron plays holiday Grinch
ANN ARBOR—Although consumers were slightly more optimistic about economic conditions in the December survey, nearly all the data were collected prior to the rapid spread of Omicron in the U.S., according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. While it is likely that confidence will decline in the month ahead, it is simply too… Continue reading Consumer confidence: Omicron plays holiday Grinch
Teen use of illicit drugs decreased in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued
ANN ARBOR—Declines in adolescent use of illicit drugs reported in 2021 were the largest and most sweeping ever recorded in the past 46 years, according to the Monitoring the Future study. A research team of professors at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research has conducted annual, nationally representative surveys of students in grades… Continue reading Teen use of illicit drugs decreased in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued