CCC 27-2_LR

NEWS & NOTES

FAST FACTS:

Sadly, among veterans, the sui cide rate is 1.5 times more than that of non-veterans. 17 n A recent Journal of the Ameri can Medical Association ( JAMA ) study of nearly half a million U.S. citizens on how much public trust in the healthcare profes sion dropped throughout the COVID-19 pandemic found that “trust in physicians and hospi tals decreased substantially over the course of the pandemic, from 71.5% in April 2020 to 40.1% in January 2024.” 18 ;

n According to recent Barna research, 54% of Gen Z soundly agree that “in-person relation ships are more valuable than digital ones.” 10 n “Churchgoing men are more likely than their female coun terparts to be members (86% v. 79%). Those who graduated col lege (86%) are more likely than those with some college or less formal education (80%) to say they’re also a church member.” 11 n “Nearly 1 in 3 young adults say they have no trusted relation ships.” 12 n The majority of evangelicals hold their work and those they work with in high regard. Seventy eight percent consider work to be a “sacred gift from God.” Thirty eight percent believe “the only thing they owe people at their job is hard work,” although 55% disagree. Having an “obligation to care for the people they work with” is the view of 79% of those who participated in the study. 13

n According to recent Barna research, “the most likely to say they want to be a follower of Christ who connects with the world they live in” are Gen Z practicing Christians (68%). 14 n From 2003 to 2022, “the number of hours unmarried Americans spend interacting with others face-to-face has dropped 35%.” The decline is closer to 50% among teenagers. 15 stressed the issue of diminishing U.S. test scores among fourth and eighth-grade students in math and science achievement: “Between 2019 and 2023, test scores for American fourth-grad ers in math dropped by 18 points and scores for eight-graders dropped 27 points.” 16 n The U.S. has more than 18 mil n The National Center for Education Statistics data lion living veterans, around 6% of the population. Of all adults in America experiencing homelessness, 13% are veterans.

Compiled and edited by Gary Foster, President of Gary D. Foster Consulting

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS? Phone: 419-238-4082 Email: GaryFoster733@gmail.com Web: GaryDFoster.com

Endnotes 1 Arnold, J. (2024, Nov. 4). 3 in 10 young adults don’t have or want to have children: Poll. The Washington Stand. 2 Hunter, K. (2024, Nov. 9). Here are new guidelines for preventing stroke, the nation’s fourth biggest killer. AP News. 3 Pandey, E., VandeHei, J., & Allen, M. (2024, Nov. 13). 1 big thing: Giving vs. getting. Axios Finish Line. 4 Hart, D. (2024, Dec. 2). Study shows marriage protects against sui cide, drug deaths. The Washington Stand. 5 Stonestreet, J., & Morris, S. (2024, Oct. 17). Yes, gender confusion is socially contagious. Breakpoint. 6 Horowitz, J.M., & Parker, K. (2024, Oct. 17). How Americans see men and masculinity . Pew Research Center. 7 Horowitz, J.M., & Parker, K. (2024, Oct. 17). 8 VanMaren, J. (2024, Oct. 11). Pornography use may now be the most common addiction in America, study suggests. LifeSite. 9 Holliday, S. (2024, Sept. 24). “Suicide pod” death should remind us of what makes Life Worth Living.

10 How to help Gen Z connect spiritually online and at church. Barna Group. (2024, Oct. 22). 11 Earls, A. (2024, Nov. 12). Churchgoers are likely also church members . Lifeway Research. 12 Dunn, P.J. (2024, Sept. 30). What young adults look for in a church. Lifeway Research. 13 Earls, A. (2024, Oct. 1). U.S. evangelicals want to engage culture more than they actually do . Lifeway Research. 14 How to help Gen Z connect spiritually online and at church. Barna Group. (2024, Oct. 22). 15 Pandey, E., VandeHei, J., & Allen, M. (2024, Oct. 22). 1 big thing: Season of gathering . Axios Finish Line. 16 Thornton, R. (2024, Dec. 9). Kilgannon: Scores show DOE pretty much earning an “F” at doing its job. American Family News. 17 Pandey, E., VandeHei, J., & Allen, M. (2024, Nov. 7). 1 big thing: Australia’s blueprint for screen-free childhood . Axios Finish Line. 18 Hart, D. (2024, Nov. 21). As public trust in health care craters, doctor leads movement to put patients first.

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