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Florida Poverty Rates Higher Than National Average
“Data on poverty and
income show schoolaged children took the brunt of the economic downturn, and overall Florida poverty rates increased in 39 of Florida’s 67 counties Michael Peltier/The News Service of Florida
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The recession of the last couple years put more Florida residents into poverty and resulted in a decrease of median family income in much of the state, the U.S. Census Department reported last Tuesday. Data on poverty and income show school-aged children took the brunt of the economic downturn, and overall Florida poverty rates increased in 39 of Florida’s 67 counties between 2007 and 2010. Statewide, a little over 3 million Floridians, 16.5% of the population, lived under the federal poverty line in 2010. Particularly hard hit because of reliance on construction, Florida poverty rates were higher than the national rate of 15.3%. Florida counties were also more likely than the nation as a whole to see the poverty rate rise between 2007 and 2010. Meanwhile, median income fell in Florida and across the country during the same period as layoffs in the construction and manufacturing sectors meant the
loss of good paying jobs as the housing bubble burst and demand for manufactured goods fell along with corporate profits. DeSoto, Hamilton and Hardee Counties showed overall poverty rates of more than 30% in 2010. The trio of counties led a list dominated by rural counties where non-agricultural jobs are harder to come by and the fate of individual employers make a significant impact. The national poverty rate in 2010 was $22,050 for a family of four. Meanwhile, Seminole, Clay, Martin and Nassau Counties posted the lowest poverty rates in the state, within the number of individuals falling below the benchmark at less than 11.5%, a low rate at least partially attributable to a high percentage of retirees and government and military workers. A lot of Florida families took it on the chin. Median household income fell more than 7% to $44,390 during the four-year period. Median family incomes ranged from $30,967 in Dixie County to $60.841 in St. Johns, according to the Census Bureau. Overall, Florida median income was $44,390, about 7%
Protecting Yourself From Skin Cancer
to have an increasing number of cases each year. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the Unit•Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for ed States, with more than two million people being adolescents and young adults (15-29 years old). diagnosed each year. While most cases of skin cancer •For people born in 2005, 1 in 52 will be diagnosed with melcan be successfully treated if found early, the large anoma— nearly 30 times higher than for people born in 1930. and growing number of people getting the disease These are risk factors for basal and squamous cell skin cancer: makes skin cancer a serious concern. Medical costs Ultraviolet (UV) light- Sunlight is the main source of ultravialone to treat skin cancer are estimated olet (UV) radiation, which can damage the genes at almost $2 billion annually. Here are in your skin cells. UV light is thought to be the About 1 in 5 some other facts you might not know major risk factor for most skin cancers. Tanning Americans will lamps and booths are another source of UV radiaabout skin cancer: •More people were diagnosed with develop skin cancer tion. People with high levels of exposure to UV skin cancer in 2009 than with breast, light are at greater risk for skin cancer. prostate, lung, and colon cancer com- during their lifetime The amount of UV exposure depends on the bined. strength of the light, how long the skin was ex•About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer posed, and whether the skin was covered with clothing and during their lifetime. sunscreen. Many studies show that being exposed to a lot of •One American dies of melanoma almost every sun when you are young is an added risk factor. hour. People who live in places with year-round, bright sunlight •Melanoma is one of the few cancers that continue have a higher risk. For example, the risk of skin cancer is twice Skincancerprevention.org
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above the national median figure of $41,256, which also was lower than in 2007. One bright spot in the survey was the fact that more Florida children are being covered by health insurance through programs like Medicaid and KidCare, a government-subsidized insurance program targeted at families that make too much money for Medicaid but might not be able to afford private coverage. “It is especially rewarding to know that in these tough economic times with the state’s higher than national average unemployment rates, Florida KidCare proves to be a valuable resource for families and children,” said Rich Robleto, executive director of Florida Healthy Kids Corp., a public-private partnership that helps administer the program. The number of uninsured kids in Florida fell from 667,758 to 506,934 during that time period. The state still has one of the highest rates of uninsured children in the country, the Census Bureau said.
Ted Williams: I’ve been sober a year, ‘one day at a time’ Scott Stump
Even after a viral YouTube video helped turn him from a homeless crack addict to a media sensation, golden-voiced former radio announcer Ted Williams admitted Monday his struggles were far from over. Amid emotional moments of his remarkable journey last year, such as his tearful reunion with his mother in a segment on TODAY, he admitted he relapsed on alcohol and drugs twice, including leaving a treatment facility after less than two weeks. Now claiming to be clean and sober for more than a year and surrounded by good people, Williams, 54, has co-written a book with Brett Witter called “A Golden Voice.” The book details how he went from being a popular Ohio DJ to a homeless crack addict to a YouTube sensation after 17
Our Purpose: To Help the Homeless Learn How to Help Themselves
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