The Pew Charitable Trusts

Plastic: The real predator of our seas.?? ? From sea turtles to whales to seabirds, countless animals mistake plastic for food or become entangled in it, leading to injuries, starvation, and death. Each year, millions of marine creatures and birds fall victim to the growing tide of plastic pollution.? ? But that can change! This week's #INC5 treaty negotiations are a critical opportunity to reduce the flow of plastics into our environment. Global leaders must make sure the agreement contains binding and comprehensive measures that address every stage of plastic pollution—from production to use to disposal.?? ? #Wildlife #PlasticPollution #Plastics #BreakingThePlasticWave?

86% of Americans trust small businesses, while only 29% trust large corporations. So, what lessons can other institutions learn from small businesses? "Trust is about the perception of intentions," writes Vanderbilt University's Cindy Kam. https://pew.org/4eQP2XX

From hospitals and community health centers to state and federal government agencies, our health care systems are often working independently toward similar goals. But what if their data wasn’t siloed? What if separate public health efforts were coordinated instead? Some states have given this a go, forging data-driven partnerships between their Medicaid agencies and public health departments, with promising results: ?Improved health outcomes ?Lower costs ?Improved efficiency and effectiveness ?Informed policymaking Pew’s David Hyun and Rachel Zetts dive into the details. https://pew.org/3C02WIG #Healthpolicy #Healthcare #Datadriven

Fact: 38% of global fish stocks were exploited beyond sustainable levels in 2021. A World Trade Organization agreement can still curb the $22 billion a year in subsidies that drive overfishing—but only if it’s strengthened to fully address overfishing and overcapacity. #WorldFisheriesDay

Millions of Americans are at risk of falling behind on their retirement goals. And the reality is... ? ~ 51% of Americans worry they’ll run out of money. ? 70% of retirees wish they’d started saving earlier. ? 56 million private-sector workers lack a savings plan. Without solutions like automated savings programs—we can expect taxpayers to be on the hook for $1.3 trillion. 17 states are already stepping up—more can do the same. https://pew.org/3YL4Fun

Empty offices could hold one key to solving our housing shortage and reducing homelessness. Cities like Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle could benefit from turning empty office spaces into affordable co-living units. This innovative solution could help cities address pressing housing challenges. #HousingAffordability Rendering by Gensler https://pew.org/4e0DAaO

How has the Philadelphia wage tax changed since the pandemic? Quite a lot. To summarize, more tax revenue is coming from Philadelphians and less from nonresidents. The cause? Likely remote and hybrid work. Many cities are grappling with a similar question since 2020: how to get folks back into the city. In Philly, officials know that tax policy may not be the key, but creating a city that is safer, cleaner, and has opportunities may help encourage nonresident workers to spend more time downtown. To dive into the numbers, and better understand how the Philadelphia wage and earnings tax system works, here is more detail: https://pew.org/3UqTT9T #wagetax #philadelphia #taxpolicy

Excited to share that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and The Pew Charitable Trusts have partnered to expand the Pew Latin American Fellows program, which helps early-career biomedical scientists receive postdoctoral training and the resources they need to start an independent lab in their home country. Established in 1991, the program has fostered an amazing community of 320+ young scientists from all regions of Latin America. Thrilled to partner with Pew to help grow this program. A shoutout to Sara Strickland, Donna Dang, PhD, Ana-Rita Mayol, Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Esteban Parker, Bil Clemons, Stephen Quake, D.Phil. for crafting this collaboration. Check out this video to learn more about the program: https://lnkd.in/gcsVqtRU

Plastics expose us to 16,000+ chemicals every single day—at least a quarter of which are hazardous to human and environmental health. And for communities living near plastic production sites, the risks are even worse. ? ? As #INC5 negotiations on a global plastics treaty begin next week in South Korea, negotiators have a chance to protect both people and planet. But to make a real difference, the agreement must tackle the root of the problem: reducing plastic production.?? ? It’s time to prioritize human health and the environment. Let’s push for ambition at INC-5 to protect both people and the planet. ? ? #HumanHealth #PlasticPollution #Plastics #BreakingThePlasticWave?

Medical debt hits hard. ?? 41% of U.S. adults had some form of health care debt in 2022, per a KFF survey—forcing hard choices between health and financial security. But there are solutions. Legislative steps like the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act aim to ease the burden on consumers, offering a pathway to fairer debt practices and access to necessary care. "We need to reach a point where people can handle their financial problems with dignity so they can care for themselves and their families," says Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison. ?? Listen as experts discuss the issue on "After the Fact." https://pew.org/3AEYqiw