As I write this column, college basketball teams throughout the country are hoping to receive bids to the 2006 NCAA national championship basketball tournament within days. All of the universities selected will undoubtedly strive to make their efforts memorable. Some will have more success than others, of course, but until the outcomes are known, each school will rejoice in the “good news” of just being able to participate.
While basketball fans will undoubtedly keep up with the wins and losses over the next few weeks, there are others who will have little, if any, interest in the competition. And even the most die-hard fans have no real stake in the outcome. By contrast, there is some other “good news” you probably haven’t heard, but which is literally a life and death issue.
In reality, it’s not just one “good news,” it’s several “good newses.” But, since “newses” isn’t the proper plural usage, let’s just stay with “good news.” Still, the news is plural as it pertains to three different things—health, longevity, and employment—subjects that are on our minds almost all the time rather than just during March Madness.
Recently, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that the number of people dying from cancer has dropped for the first time in decades. This is particularly good news for those with the disease as well as the nearly 1.4 million Americans who will be diagnosed with cancer this year—some 85,570 in Texas alone.
Cancer is still one of the leading killers in the US, but medical science is making significant progress. With cancer not taking the toll it used to, more people will be able to remain on the job, and their productivity will be enhanced. In addition to the effects on health and quality of life, this phenomenon can add billions of dollars to the economy. The vast amount of research and related activities is also proving beneficial to the overall economy.
Along with greater chances for surviving cancer comes the good news that Americans are living longer. Thus, older workers are becoming increasingly important to the labor market.
A recent study by Aging Texas Well, a 10-year-old program designed to prepare our state for an increasing older population, shows that nearly a quarter of those who have reached retirement age are still working. In addition, 10% of those not employed are currently looking for a job or soon plan to do so. One out of every five older Texans has an income of $60,000 or more.
While having close relationships with friends and family was considered the most important aspect of life for about 99% of older persons, 58% acknowledged that having a job was also very important to them.
Public policy is doing its part in encouraging those physically able to continue to work, and “age-neutral” 401k plans are replacing traditional pension plans structured to move older workers out. More and more companies are recognizing that even though America is graying, age doesn’t always determine the effectiveness or capability of a worker.
When you put all these matters together you have some really, really good news. Cancer doesn’t have the death grip it used to have, and people are living and remaining productive longer. The combination of such good news might even be enough to earn “newses” a place in the next edition of Webster’s Dictionary.