America’s rural populations are aging: 1 in 5 is over 65

St. Louis Public Radio: Rural America is aging, with 20% over 65

Rural America continues to age and a new report shows the extent has reached a new high. The US Department of Agriculture’s annual Rural America at a Glance report shows that more than 20% of rural residents are over 65, compared to 16% in urban areas. “The aging of the baby boom generation will continue to contribute to the loss of working-age adults through the end of this decade,” the USDA Economic Research Service report said. (Ahl, 2/12)

AP: Airbnb urged to require carbon monoxide devices after 3 deaths

Family members of three tourists who died while staying at an Airbnb in Mexico City, apparently from carbon monoxide poisoning, urged the short-term rental company on Thursday to require detectors in the properties it lists to prevent future tragedies. (Rodrigue, 12/1)

The Washington Post: Young children who breathe polluted air in high-poverty areas may fall behind in school, study finds

According to a study released Wednesday, young children living in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty are more likely to be exposed to many different air pollutants, which can harm their early childhood development. Children’s increased exposure to air toxins during infancy can reduce their reading and math skills and cause them to fall behind – for some, the effect is equivalent to losing an entire month of primary school. (Ajasa, 11/30)

The Boston Globe: A Causal Link Between Air Pollution and Falling Incomes

In other words, there is overwhelming evidence that air pollution poses a significant threat to human health and cognition. Today, a new study reveals that pollution is not only a public health scourge, but also a key driver of economic and racial inequality. (Lalwani and Winter-Levy, 1/12)

NBC News: What is a whole grain? Americans are eating more, but are confused by food labels

An analysis of two decades of data on Americans’ diets found that people are increasingly choosing whole-grain foods, but we’re still not getting enough in our daily diets, Tufts University researchers report. in a study published Wednesday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. . (Carroll, 1/12)

The Washington Post: Why falling asleep with the lights on is bad for your health

Many of us are surrounded by light at night – from the streetlights that come through our windows to the TVs and smartphones by our beds. And now, research shows that exposure to light at night in the hours before bedtime and even while sleeping can harm our health. (Sima, 1/12)