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2024-09-24T09:09:00

(BPT) – As parents, caregivers and students choose what to take to campus and leave at home, consider the impact of a vehicle on finances, quality of life and the environment, whether a student owns a vehicle or not.

According to AAA, in 2024, the average cost of owning a new car driven 15,000 miles a year was $12,294 a year (or $1,024 a month). Money spent on owning a car on campus could go to tuition, room and board, textbooks, groceries and other college expenses.

Wondering how to access off-campus opportunities without a car? Consider an affordable and convenient option: a car-sharing program like Zipcar.

What is car sharing?

Car sharing is a rental model that allows people in urban and campus locations to access and drive cars for a short period of time. Joining a car-share program gives students the benefit of accessing a car wherever, whenever, without footing the costs and hassles of ownership.

With Zipcar — the world’s leading car-sharing network — students have 24/7 access to vehicles at hundreds of campuses across the U.S. Whether a student needs a car for a couple of hours to shop for groceries or for a day trip or long weekend to visit friends and family, Zipcar has students covered.

Still not convinced? Check out three benefits of joining a car-sharing program like Zipcar.

1. Cost savings

Joining a car-sharing program can save students money. Zipcar estimates that it saves student members more than $1,000 per month compared to car owners, and membership includes gas or electric charging, maintenance, roadside service and a dedicated parking spot on campus, a benefit to students seeking to reduce costs and hassles in their lives.

When asked about their experience with Zipcar, more than half of the students surveyed said the program helps them reach important destinations affordably. With their savings:

• 46% put it toward groceries/food
• 43% toward savings
• 34% toward school
• 26% toward rent

Cost-savings are more than a number: Most students who used Zipcar said the program allowed them financial freedom and control over their expenses.

2. Improved quality of life

A car-sharing program like Zipcar doesn’t just save students money. Access to transportation like car sharing offers students opportunities and 75% of students say Zipcar has changed their quality of life.

When asked about the positive impact Zipcar has on a student’s day-to-day activities:

• 71% feel they can be themselves and be independent
• 77% can explore places inaccessible by public transportation
• 65% feel safe when making necessary trips

Need to run to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment or to drive home? Students can rely on Zipcar 24/7.

3. Eco-conscious lifestyle choice

Students who join a car-sharing program choose sustainable transportation that reduces the number of personally owned vehicles on campus.

Zipcar is driven by a mission to enable simple and responsible urban living. For each Zipcar, up to 13 vehicles are eliminated from city streets and campuses, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and parking competition, and creating space for students (not cars).

In fact, when students join Zipcar, they reduce their carbon footprint by 1,600 pounds of carbon emissions per year!

Ready to drive?

A Zipcar membership is an affordable investment, especially for students, who can receive an exclusive discount membership of up to 40%. Students must be 18+ with a driver’s license and international students can join too! Join and book a Zipcar in minutes at Zipcar.com/Universities.

2024-09-24T08:31:00

(BPT) – One in three (31%) Americans say they owe the job they have now — and the salary they make (29%) — to their personal network, according to new research from Empower, a leader in financial planning, investing, and advice. For Millennials, that number rises to 40% on both dimensions.

Six in 10 Americans believe that the strength of their connections is key to success, from career advancement to pay and promotions. Half of people (50%) say it would be naive not to take advantage of personal connections. Some 75% say it’s important to use your network to help others, and half of Americans say they’ve actively helped others get a job (53% overall, 61% Millennials).

“The ‘Network Effect’ is real, and your dream salary may be one connection away. Many Americans see the power of personal connections as a key to unlocking moneymaking opportunities,” says Rebecca Rickert, head of communications at Empower. “People view the investment of time or money as a means of paying it forward — an investment that pays back.”

People are also turning to their inner circles for financial help. A third of Americans (32%) say they have not saved enough and need to rely on their network to make ends meet (41% Gen Z, Millennials). One quarter receive an average of $390 per month ($4,680 annually) in financial support from relatives or personal connections. Nearly a third admit to receiving financial assistance from their parents after the age of 18 (30%) — and 45% of parents say they provide financial support to their adult children. Additionally, 28% of people have received help with living expenses such as groceries, rent, or mortgage payments.

Still, 50% feel embarrassed about having to rely on others for help with money, as the majority (79%) of Americans believe it is important to be financially independent and many (57%) are doing everything they can to achieve it. Some 61% say rising prices and inflation are preventing them from getting ahead financially.

The power of personal connections extends to giving back, too: 66% say paying it forward to others in this way increases their happiness. Six in 10 Americans have paid it forward to strangers in small ways, too, like paying for the person behind them in the drive thru.

More findings:

• Generational hardships: 40% overall say their generation needs financial help because they are at a disadvantage compared to other generations (54% Gen Z, 55% Millennials, 36% Gen X, 23% Boomers).
• Keeping up with the Joneses: A quarter say they spend more than they make trying to keep up with others (23% overall, 33% Gen Zers); Men are more likely than women to agree (27% men, 19% women).
• Diploma dilemma: More than 1 in 5 (21%) have received financial help for education from their network. Though, nearly a third say that due to their career choices (e.g., lack of a degree, low-paying jobs) they need to financially rely on others (27% overall, 38% Gen Z, Millennials). Just 7% say they received a legacy admission to a college of choice due to personal connections.
• Opening doors: Some 25% of Americans say they’ve received career support from their parents, including connections, advice, introductions, and professional development. One in 5 Millennials have gotten freelance opportunities due to their personal connections.
• Picking up the bill: One in 4 admit to having daily discretionary expenses like eating out and getting coffee covered by others. 17% of people have enjoyed a fully paid vacation courtesy of their relatives, friends, or personal connections (20% Gen Z and 22% Millennials).
• Family ties: 58% believe that family members and close friends need to help each other financially; 35% prefer to live at home with family or roommates to save money.

Visit The Currency™ to read Empower’s full research report, “The Network Effect.”

*ABOUT THE STUDY

Empower’s “The Network Effect” study is based on online survey responses from 2,200 Americans ages 18+ fielded by Morning Consult between August 5-7, 2024. The survey is weighted to be nationally representative of U.S. adults (aged 18+).

RO3846417-0924

2024-09-23T12:01:00

(BPT) – The facts around colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, are too staggering to ignore. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.¹

Yet despite recommendations, less than half (49%) of eligible Hispanic adults — there are currently over 17 million Hispanic people in the U.S. over the age of 45 — undergo recommended screening.^2,3 Barriers to screening include language and cultural differences as well as lack of access, but the biggest reason may be that people don’t realize that colon cancer screening should start at age 45.

To help increase awareness around colon cancer screening, Exact Sciences has launched its first-ever Spanish-language campaign tailored to the Hispanic community timed to Hispanic Heritage Month. The campaign, which will appear on television, radio and social media, includes important information about the Cologuard^® test — a non-invasive, effective and affordable at-home colon cancer screening test.

Early detection of colon cancer before a person has symptoms arise can significantly improve treatment options and survival rates.⁴ The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone at average risk and aged 45+ get screened.⁴ When found at an early stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is close to 90%. However, if the cancer is not caught before it spreads to distant parts of the body, that survival rate drops to around 14%.⁵

“Education and early screening are vital in catching this disease early and improving outcomes,” said Veronica Descotte, Chief Strategy Officer at Exact Sciences. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone, particularly in the Hispanic community, has access to the information and resources they need.”

One Patient’s Story

Colon cancer survivor and advocate, Marielle, noticed troubling health symptoms back in 2017. It started with blood in her stool, then stomach pain, and, eventually, sudden weight loss of 20 pounds in just a few weeks. Despite her concerns, the medical advice she received didn’t lead to answers. It wasn’t until she pushed her doctor for further testing that the 36-year-old Latina discovered she had colon cancer.

“I think many people in my community would be surprised to know that colon cancer can be fully cured in early stages and even prevented through the removal of growths called polyps,” said Marielle, Director of Programs & Advocacy at a national peer support organization. “The reality is that it’s not always possible to take time off from work to get into the doctor’s office. Having convenient and non-invasive options for testing that can be done in the privacy of your own home is a game changer.”

A Call to Action

As we look to the future, the efforts of organizations like Exact Sciences and advocates like Marielle aim to create a world where colon cancer is detected earlier, treated more effectively, and ultimately prevented.

If you’re 45 or older, talk to your doctor about available colon cancer screening options that are right for you. Learn more by visiting www.cologuard.com.

The Cologuard test is intended to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. A Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. Cologuard test performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older.

The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. False positives and false negative results can occur. In a clinical study, 13% of people without cancer received a positive result (false positive) and 8% of people with cancer received a negative result (false negative). Rx only.

Top photo courtesy Exact Sciences

REFERENCES

1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Common Cancer Sites. 2024.
2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2021-2023. 2021.
3. U.S. Census. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population by Sex, Age, Race, and Hispanic Origin of the United States: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023. 2020.
4. American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. 2018.
5. Colon Cancer Coalition. Get the Facts About Colon Cancer. 2024.

2024-09-23T08:01:00

(BPT) – With the school year and busy fall schedules well underway, there are many tasks to complete, errands to run and household chores to tackle. From the morning get-ready-for-school routine to after-school activities, dinnertime, bathtime and bedtime, kitchens and bathrooms see a lot of dirt, grime and germs. To make your fall routine a little easier — and cleaner — Delta Faucet offers innovative, simple and effective solutions to help you minimize the messiness of life.

Here are easy ways to keep key rooms in your home just a little cleaner this season.

Bathroom solutions that make a difference

Feel like your bathroom and shower are always dirty? Help is on the way. The Delta^® ProClean™ Hand Shower includes a wide fan, high pressure ProClean™ spray, which cleans shower surfaces at least two times faster than standard sprays by powering off stubborn soap scum, hair and shower messes — even in those hard-to-reach places — without having to step foot into the shower.

Touch-Clean^® spray holes allow you to easily wipe away calcium and lime buildup from the spray face of your shower head and hand shower with the touch of a finger — no need for the aid of chemical cleaners.

Hate water spots? Delta^® Lumicoat^® Finishes easily wipe clean without the need for cleaners or chemicals and are guaranteed to resist mineral buildup and hard water stains. The ultra-sleek surface repels liquids so your bath faucet and shower stay clean longer.

Making this simple upgrade helps you spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the fall season.

Clean faucet, clean kitchen

Can you name the most frequently touched spots in your kitchen? For most homes, the sink faucet is typically a high-touch area, along with the refrigerator door handle. But unlike the fridge door, most of the hands approaching the faucet are already sticky and grimy — full of food particles, dirt, art project materials or who knows what else. How can you keep this mess contained? With a touchless kitchen faucet from Delta Faucet.

No contact with the faucet is needed to activate a touchless faucet, so whether your hands are full of cookie dough, soap suds or full of veggies needed to be washed, you can turn on the water without making a mess. You’ll also breathe easier knowing you’re helping to reduce the spread of germs in your home and minimizing cross-contamination when you’re handling raw meat or washing produce.

Faucets like the sleek, elegant Delta^® Trinsic^® Touch₂O^® Kitchen Faucet with Touchless Technology gives you versatility with three ways to access water. You can either place your hand near the faucet, tap the faucet surface with a hand (or wrist, or elbow …) or just use the handle to turn it on. Whichever option you choose, this faucet is easy for dirty hands, full hands or little hands to use, because washing the mess off your hands shouldn’t involve making a mess of your faucet.

Even better, the integrated TempSense™ LED light shows the water temperature as the temperature increases, to eliminate any possible surprise or discomfort from water that’s colder or hotter than you expected.

Delta^® Touchless faucets are available in an array of styles and finishes to complement any kitchen design style. For example, if you prefer a more traditional, timeless look, you can opt for the classic style of the Delta^® Leland^® Touch₂O^® Kitchen Faucet with Touchless Technology.

Easy kitchen and bath upgrades like these can help your home’s most used spaces look their best, while also helping to save time in your regular cleaning routines. With less mess and more convenience, everyday moments will center more on what you love about your home — creating memories with loved ones.

2024-09-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by Sanofi

As a parent, it’s not uncommon to arrive at your child’s annual wellness doctor’s appointment with a laundry list of questions for their doctor. From overcoming picky eating habits, to ensuring your child is hitting important developmental milestones, these visits present the perfect opportunity for parents to get direct feedback on a wide range of topics pertaining to health and wellness. While every child is unique — with their own specific needs and challenges — there is one crucial discussion that is often overlooked from these conversations: asking about getting your child screened for type 1 diabetes-related autoantibodies.

Every year, there are an estimated 27,000 newly diagnosed youth cases of type 1 diabetes in the United States alone. Despite this, there isn’t yet an established protocol for proactive early screening for type 1 diabetes. Instead, parents often find out their child has type 1 diabetes after they may already be experiencing symptoms, which can be severe and even life-threatening in some cases, rather than finding out in advance as part of an annual wellness visit at the doctor.

There’s no time to waste when it comes to type 1 diabetes, which is why prioritizing early screening for your child is so important. If you don’t know where to start, below are some key facts to keep in mind about the impact type 1 diabetes may have on your child’s health — and you can learn even more by talking to your doctor about screening for type 1 diabetes or by visiting The1Pledge.com, which has resources about how to schedule a telehealth visit and other screening options which you can discuss with your doctor, including at-home testing.

Understand your child’s unique risk factors

Family history, certain other autoimmune conditions, and viruses can all impact a child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Thinking about the following questions might be a helpful first step for parents:

• Does anyone in your family have type 1 diabetes?
• Does your child or anyone in your family have another autoimmune condition, such as celiac disease or Hashimoto’s disease?
• Has your child ever had certain types of viruses, such as coxsackievirus B, rotavirus, mumps, or cytomegalovirus?

While knowing the answers to these questions related to common risk factors is important, it’s key to also keep in mind that many of the risk factors for type 1 diabetes are unknown. For instance, while family history is a risk factor, approximately 90% of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history of type 1 diabetes at all. With facts like these in mind, it’s best to err on the side of caution and make early screening a priority, no matter your child’s unique background. If you haven’t already, talk to your doctor if you think your child might be at risk and ask about screening for type 1 diabetes.

Learn the early warning signs – but don’t wait for them

Understanding the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and exhaustion, is important. However, what’s even more important is understanding that finding out earlier, before symptoms appear, about a potential type 1 diabetes diagnosis is possible through screening. Screening and monitoring may even help reduce the risk of a child getting seriously ill at the time of diagnosis.

Early screening can also give an entire family more time to get familiar with type 1 diabetes and prepare for a new normal, which might include learning about blood sugar monitoring or securing a care team, including an endocrinologist — a specialist who cares for people with diabetes — close to home, who you can build trust with and rely on for continuity of care.

Until there are established national protocols for type 1 diabetes screening, the onus falls on parents to get their children screened for type 1 diabetes. Consider the impact an unexpected type 1 diabetes diagnosis could have on your child’s health and talk to their pediatrician about screening.

Sanofi does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment — information is provided for educational purposes only. Your doctor is the best source of health information. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

2024-09-23T09:01:00

(BPT) – The beginning of fall is an excellent time to update your home’s aesthetic! Whether you plan to purchase new furnishings or complete small home improvement projects, these changes — big and small — can go a long way in revamping your home decor for a cozier and updated look and feel.

No matter what furniture you choose, it’s always a good idea to shop with safety in mind. Check out these three safety tips that can help you create a beautiful and safer home.

Secure your furniture

Some pieces of furniture, especially clothing storage items, can easily tip over if not secured. To help eliminate this risk, make sure to anchor your furniture and purchase furnishings with tip-over safety features that meet the current standard for safety.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), tip-overs have long been the furnishing industry’s most serious safety issue. In light of the problem, policymakers, safety advocates and furniture industry innovators took action to drive change and establish safety regulations. As a result, the Federal Stability Standard was born.

The federal mandate requires all newly manufactured clothing storage units to meet the new safety standards outlined in the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act.

Over the past year, furniture retailers across the country have worked hard to design clothing storage furniture that meets more rigorous testing standards, helping consumers create safer homes.

One example of a manufacturer that is driving innovation in furniture safety is IKEA. The company was the first retailer to announce full compliance with the Federal Stability Standard.

IKEA has designed furniture with stability features like Anchor and Unlock. The company also offers free wall anchoring hardware kits as well as information on how to wall anchor furniture to help prevent tip-over accidents and promote a safer life at home.

“The work that goes into creating safer homes will never be over,” said Brett Horn, the founder of Charlie’s House based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Charlie’s House is a 501(c)3 dedicated to preventing accidents and injuries to children in and around the home through increased safety awareness, public education, and the distribution of safety devices.

“We see progress through strong collaboration within the industry, including furniture retailers, and the passing of much needed legislation like the STURDY Act. Step by step, together, we are creating a safer life at home for all,” said Brett.

Choose your window coverings wisely

If you’re looking to update your window coverings, consider switching to cordless blinds. Traditional blinds are operated with cords. Not only are corded window coverings unsightly, but they also pose a significant risk to families with young children.

The CPSC identified corded window coverings as one of the top hidden hazards in the home. Young children, especially those under 5 years of age, can become entangled in the cords, leading to strangulation.

Luckily, you can buy yourself peace of mind by installing cordless blinds. They’re easy to operate, come in a variety of colors and materials and — most importantly — help create a safer home for your family.

Beware of recalls

Buying furniture secondhand is a great way to save money! But recalled products can end up on the secondhand market and can pose a risk to the buyer. Each year, the CPSC recalls many household items that pose a hidden danger to consumers, including home furniture.

To help mitigate these risks, check and see if the used furniture items have been recalled before you purchase. Just a little bit of research can help keep your home safer. You can search for the latest recalls on the CPSC’s website.

Another steadfast solution to keep your home safer when buying secondhand, backed by parents, is wall anchoring.

“While it may seem simple, taking the critical step to anchor your furniture will go a long way in keeping your home safe,” said Brett. “No matter where you buy your furniture, wall anchoring is always the best way to help reduce the risk of tip-over accidents.”

Shop with joy and confidence

As you redecorate your home this autumn, be mindful of where you shop for new furniture. To find more safety information and other resources, visit CPSC.gov.

2024-09-23T09:01:00

(BPT) – Cold and flu season typically runs from October to May, but with summer colds, COVID outbreaks, RSV and allergies, it’s a pretty safe bet that you and your family may be dealing with a variety of symptoms of one kind or another, no matter the season.

Given this year-round battle against illness, the ever-rising costs of medications can put a strain on your wallet and cause confusion as to how best to guard against all of those various bugs out there.

“It’s vital for families to get reliable information on how to prevent illnesses, especially during cold and flu season when many bugs are at their worst, and what to do if they do come down with something,” said Preeti Parikh, Executive Medical Director at GoodRx, the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. “This includes information about how to get the best price on any medications they need.”

That’s where GoodRx comes in. It is an online platform that does double duty. GoodRx can save you up to 80% off retail prices of medications, plus it offers trusted information on the myriad health conditions that families deal with. GoodRx’s articles, written by a team of doctors, pharmacists, health economists and public health experts, provide you with authoritative and trustworthy answers to your most pressing health questions so you can make better decisions for your family’s health.

When it comes to navigating cold and flu season, Dr. Parikh offers the following tips to prevent illness and manage treatment if you do become sick.

• Get vaccinated. Everyone should get their flu shot and COVID booster by the end of October, and these shots can be done at the same time. It’s the most important thing you can do to prevent illness, not only for yourself, but for vulnerable people in your community, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic conditions.
• Older Americans should investigate the RSV vaccine. All Americans aged 75 and older should receive one dose of the RSV vaccine. Adults aged 60 to 74 with serious chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young babies may also need to get vaccinated. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if the vaccine is best for you.
• Wash your hands. Everyone should practice good disease prevention! Wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into your elbow.
• Protect others. If you’re sick, stay home. Don’t go to the office or out shopping or dining. If you must go out, wear a mask to help avoid passing those bugs around.
• If you do become sick, GoodRx can help you save on treatments, including antibiotics that can treat your infection, cold medications to help with symptoms, and antivirals, which can shorten the duration or alleviate the symptoms of your illness. On average, GoodRx users save $34 on cold and flu treatment medications.

So, how do the savings work? It’s actually very easy. Just go to GoodRx.com or the mobile app and type in the name of the medications you have been prescribed. You’ll get a listing of local pharmacies and their prices. Choose the lowest one, and a coupon will pop up. Bring your phone with you to the pharmacy and show the coupon to your pharmacist to get the lowest possible price on your medications.

To arm yourself with information about how to battle the bugs, and ways to save at the pharmacy, visit GoodRx.com/go/fluseason.