Lastest Stories by Steven Peters

Only about one in five adults meet the federal guidelines for both aerobic and strength-focused exercise. Perhaps even more concerning, nearly one in four Americans fail to get any exercise...
More than one in three adults in America are getting less sleep than they need. While insufficient sleep is often considered normal, it can have dramatic effects on a population’s health and...
America spent an estimated $9,451 per person on healthcare in 2015, by far the most of any country. However, among wealthy, industrialized nations, the U.S. has the largest share of residents not...
Home prices are higher today than they were before the housing bubble. Because incomes have increased at a slower pace than housing prices, however, housing affordability has actually declined....
The average life expectancy of moderately obese people is about three years shorter than it is for the average American. At the extreme, severe obesity can lower life expectancy by 10 years....
Taking risks is at the heart of the entrepreneurial spirit that is often associated with the American way of life. While not exactly entrepreneurial, perhaps nowhere is risk-taking more apparent than...
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassed 21,000 points for the first time ever on March 1. The milestone was achieved only 24 trading days after the Dow first reached 20,000. The only time in...
There are more medical doctors in the top 1% of earners than any other profession. The average salary of family and general practitioners nationwide is $192,120. Doctors who choose to specialize can...
Whether it is a gaming supervisor in Nevada, a farm worker in California, an extraction worker in North Dakota, or a petroleum engineer in Texas, one occupation is often more strongly associated with...
Because sales tax is regressive — disproportionately affecting poorer residents — the decision to raise or lower the sales tax rate is often accompanied by intense debate. Still, last...
The lowest temperature ever recorded in the United States was -80 degrees Fahrenheit in Prospect Creek, Alaska. While temperatures near this extreme only rarely occur, millions of Americans live in...
Due to continually improved life expectancy, and as baby boomers reach retirement age, the median age of the U.S. population has been steadily increasing. The typical American today is 37.6 years...
Source: ThinkstockThe U.S. median age has steadily increased over the past several decades. While the typical American was only 29.5 years old in 1960, the median age has risen to 37.6 years old by...
Many Americans entering old age can look forward to a comfortable retirement, pursuing lingering life goals, and sharing a life of experience with younger generations. However, the physical decline...
Source: ThinkstockThe share of the world’s population living in cities is steadily increasing. A majority of the world’s population has lived in an urban setting since 2007. This trend of...