Georgia Home Care Costs Among the Nation's Lowest

/PRNewswire/ -- According to Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, home care costs, as well as the costs of other long term care services, are lower in Georgia than they are nationally. The median annual rate for home care costs in Georgia is $38,896 statewide, about 11 percent below the median annual rate of $43,472 nationally.(1) Georgia is the 7th most affordable state for home care services, along with Idaho and Kentucky.

This is important to note given that a majority of Americans prefer to receive care in the home. According to another Genworth survey conducted earlier this year, when asked to identify the setting most preferred to receive long term care, 78 percent chose the home; 18 percent chose assisted living, and only 2 percent selected a nursing home.(2)

"Long term care is not just about nursing homes anymore," said Buck Stinson, President, U.S. Life Insurance Products at Genworth. "For many Georgia residents, the ability to live independently is critical to maintaining quality of life. Preparing for the expenses associated with one's preferred care setting is a key factor in retirement planning," he added.

Now in its 35th year of providing long term care insurance to American families, Genworth's annual Cost of Care Survey helps raise public awareness of the costs associated with various care options across the U.S. In Georgia, the survey includes information on long term care costs in 15 regions.

Georgia Cost of Care Survey Findings

  Home Health Aide Services (Licensed)

Statewide, costs are rising at a rate of 1 percent annually over the past five years. This compares to an annual increase of 2 percent nationally over the same period.(3) Costs in Columbus are 17 percent lower than nationally.

Select Regions                       Median Hourly Rate
  Georgia-Statewide                                   $17
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                      $19
  Augusta-Richmond County                             $16
  Columbus                                            $16
  --------                                            ---
  US National                                         $19
  -----------                                         ---


  Assisted Living (One Bedroom/Single Occupancy)

Annual cost increases across the state are lower than they are nationally over the past five years (costs in Georgia have remained relatively flat compared to 7 percent across the U.S.) (3) Costs in the Augusta area are 44 percent lower than nationally.

Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(4)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $28,200
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $33,000
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $21,300
  Columbus                                        $24,450
  --------                                        -------
  US National                                     $38,220
  -----------                                     -------


  Nursing Home (Private Room)

Statewide, nursing home costs are significantly lower than national levels. The annual increase in the cost for this type of care in Georgia is 5 percent over the past five years, in line with the national increase.(3)

Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(5)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $61,926
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $62,134
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $63,875
  Columbus                                        $56,747
  --------                                        -------
  US National                                     $75,190
  -----------                                     -------


  Adult Day Health Care

  Costs for this type of care are lower statewide than they are nationally.




  Select Regions                    Median Annual Rate(6)
  Georgia-Statewide                               $14,300
  Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta                  $14,300
  Augusta-Richmond County                         $13,879
  Columbus                                            N/A
  --------                                            ---
  US National                                     $15,600
  -----------                                     -------

Let's Talk

To help families plan more effectively for potential long term care needs, Genworth Financial launched its national "Let's Talk" campaign in 2009.

"The first step in developing a comprehensive long term care plan is to speak with loved ones about the impact that a long term illness would have on them, emotionally and financially," added Mr. Stinson. "Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, when used in conjunction with the resources available at caringtalk.com, provides families with a complete tool kit for mapping out a comprehensive long term care plan that addresses these concerns."

About Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey

Genworth's Cost of Care Survey is the most comprehensive of its kind, covering nearly 13,000 long term care providers in 436 regions nationwide. It surveys the cost of long term care across the U.S. to help Americans plan for the potential costs associated with the various types of care available in their preferred location and setting.

CareScout, acquired by Genworth in June 2008, has conducted the survey since 2004.

Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey was conducted during January, February and March 2010.

Full results of Genworth's 2010 Cost of Care Survey, including an interactive map of the cost of care in all 50 states and 436 regions, and other useful tools and information is available online at Genworth.com/CostofCare2010.

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Symposium to present 2009 Metro Atlanta Homeless Survey

As the recession impacts the social and economic fabric of communities, local governments and agencies will present the results of the 2009 Metro Atlanta Homeless Survey during the 2009 Homeless Symposium Nov. 20 at Georgia State University.

The symposium will be held at 8:30 a.m. in the Speaker's Auditorium at the GSU Student Center, 44 Courtland St. S.E., and will include a summary of the survey and a panel discussion about its results.

"The symposium is designed to get those involved with providing assistance to the homeless to look at the survey results and their meaning, and to discuss the issues surrounding homelessness," said Tim Crimmins, director of the GSU Center for Neighborhood and Metropolitan Studies.

The survey is a project of the Metropolitan Atlanta Tri-Jurisdictional Collaborative on Homelessness and Pathways Community Network. GSU's Center for Neighborhood and Metropolitan Studies, GSU's Department of Sociology, and the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Commission on Homelessness, are joining them in sponsoring the symposium.

The fourth-annual survey represents examines homelessness in the city of Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb counties. The survey provides a way to look at different factors which might play a role in homelessness in 2009, including the effects of the recession, as well as the efforts in transitioning homeless persons into jobs, counseling and other programs, and those efforts' effects.

Prior to the 2009 survey, researchers completed a census of homeless persons within Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb counties during a single day in January, and found a total of 7,019 homeless individuals and homeless family members in the three jurisdictions. The total census increased by 20 percent from 2003 to 2009, with a 6 percent increase from 2007 to 2009. The survey helps to flesh out this data, providing context and the factors behind the numbers.

For every survey since 2003, surveyors have gathered a standard set of demographic information, including history and reasons for homelessness, but with each year, researchers also hone in on different sets of specialized issues. This year, researchers also focused on vulnerability, foster care, and criminal history as a barrier to finding jobs and housing, among other issues, said Josie Parker, manager for research and data analysis for Pathways Community Network and a doctoral candidate in sociology at Georgia State.

The symposium is open to the public. For more information, contact Josie Parker at 404-639-9933, ext. 323, or josie.parker@pcni.org.

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Oxendine Holds a Commanding Lead

John Oxendine, Georgia's fire and insurance commissioner, holds a commanding lead over all other Republican gubernatorial hopefuls in an early look at next year's state GOP Primary.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Georgia shows Oxendine with 35% support among those likely to vote in the state's open Republican Primary. His next closest competitors are Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel with 11% and Congressman Nathan Deal at 10%. But 33% are not sure which candidate they prefer.

State Senator Eric Johnson has three percent (3%) support, while State Representative Austin Scott tallies two percent (2%). Conservative businessman Ray McBerry is supported by one percent (1%), and five percent (5%) like some other candidate.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of those likely to vote in the GOP Primary have a favorable opinion of Oxendine, while just 18% view him unfavorably. Twenty percent (20%) don't have an opinion of Oxendine. These numbers are largely unchanged from April.

Forty-nine percent (49%) have a favorable view of Handel, with 12% unfavorable. But like all the candidates other than Oxendine, she is little known by many Georgia voters. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say they don't know enough about Handel to voice an opinion of her.

For Deal, his favorables are 28% and his unfavorables are 14%. But 58% don't have an opinion about the 16-year congressman.

Johnson is viewed favorably by 21% and unfavorably by 14%, with 66% not sure what they think of him.

Twenty percent (20%) have a favorable regard for Scott, while 11% view him unfavorably. But nearly seven-out-of-10 Georgia voters (69%) aren't sure what they think of Scott.

McBerry has 17% favorables and 14% unfavorables, also with 69% who have no opinion of him.

This statewide telephone survey of 463 Likely Republican Primary Voters in Georgia was conducted by Rasmussen Reports June 17, 2009. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Statement from Team Oxendine:

At some point, John's opponents will need some new spin. John has demonstrated respect for his opponents by publicly acknowledging that with six candidates, a runoff is a reality. John has demonstrated in a very consistent manner that he has earned the trust and respect of the conservative movement in Georgia and John will be the conservative candidate in the runoff.

The numbers speak for themselves:

* John has more than a three to one lead over his two closest opponents.
* When you combine the numbers of his two closest opponents, he has a greater than 10 point lead over their combined numbers.
* When you combine the numbers of all other announced candidates and the "other" category, John leads all those combined.
* John's approval rating is at a solid 61%. John is the only Republican with an approval rating higher than 50%.


"With Roy Barnes in this campaign, Georgia Republicans understand we must nominate the strongest candidate to run in the general election. John Oxendine is that candidate," said Kathryn Ballou, campaign manager.

"John's opponents will say the poll numbers do not matter. The polls are not worth the paper they are printed on. In other words, John's opponents validate the central premise of John's campaign. John Oxendine is the grassroots Governor who represents people - the people who participate in these polls. John's establishment opponents, who listen to the special interests in Atlanta and Washington DC, simply are out of touch with what the grassroots in the Georgia Republican Party want in a nominee for Governor," said Kathryn.

"John's very proud of where the campaign is and he will continue to work very hard to earn the trust and support of Georgia," said Kathryn.

John Oxendine
Governor 2010

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Fox 5 Atlanta Oxendine, Barnes Top Picks For Governor

A poll to be released Wednesday by Strategic Vision, LLC, a public relations and public affairs agency, shows that state insurance commissioner John Oxendine and former governor Roy Barnes are the leading candidates for Georgia's governor.

If the Republican primary for Governor were held today, for whom would you vote, Nathan Deal, Karen Handel, Eric Johnson, Ray McBerry, John Oxendine, or Austin Scott? (Republicans Only)

John Oxendine 35%
Karen Handel 13%
Nathan Deal 12%
Eric Johnson 4%
Ray McBerry 2%
Austin Scott 2%
Undecided 32%

If the Democratic primary for Governor was held today, for whom would you vote, Thurbert Baker, Roy Barnes, Dubose Porter, or David Poythress? (Democrats Only)

Roy Barnes 49%
Thurbert Baker 30%
David Poythress 5%
Dubose Porter 2%
Undecided 14%

Strategic Vision, LLC is an Atlanta-headquartered public relations and public affairs agency. Results are based on telephone interviews with 800 likely voters in Georgia, aged 18+, and conducted June 12-14, 2009 by telephone. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points. Additional information on Strategic Vision, LLC may be obtained at www.strategicvision.biz.

"While it remains early in the campaign, Team Oxendine notes that John Oxendine continues to lead in every independent poll and leads the undecided category - the first time a Republican candidate has done so with the current field," said campaign manager Kathryn Ballou.

"We are proud that John Oxendine continues to earn the support of Republicans across Georgia. With Governor Barnes entrance into the race, Georgia Republicans understand that our Party must support the candidate who can win in November of 2010. These numbers indicate John Oxendine is that candidate," said Ballou.

John Oxendine
Governor 2010

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AutoVantage Road Rage Survey Reveals Best, Worst Cities

Atlanta makes the top 5 for worst cities for road rage.


/PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in four years, a new city claims the title as the worst in the U.S. for road rage.

New York has unseated Miami as the least courteous city, according to the fourth annual In the Driver's Seat Road Rage Survey, commissioned by AutoVantage, a leading national auto club. The Big Apple moved up from its No. 3 ranking last year to claim the distinction. Rounding out the five worst cities for road rage are Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The survey also named a new city as the most courteous. Portland, Ore., took the top spot, moving up from No. 2 last year. It was followed by Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramento and Pittsburgh.

The In the Driver's Seat 2009 AutoVantage Road Rage Survey, released today, was conducted to determine the driving habits and attitudes of commuters across the country and to learn more about consumer views on the topic of road rage.

"At AutoVantage, we've made the drive easier every day by completing more than 1 million service calls for our customers, offering everything from 24-hour roadside assistance to towing to lockout service and more. This survey is another way we assist drivers by revealing the latest driving trends and attitudes to educate and influence safer--and perhaps more courteous--driving habits," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage.

The survey's best and worst cities are:
Least Courteous Cities (Worst Road Rage):
2009 2008
1. New York 1. Miami
2. Dallas/Fort Worth 2. Boston
3. Detroit 3. New York
4. Atlanta 4. Baltimore
5. Minneapolis/St. Paul 5. Washington, D.C.


Most Courteous Cities (Least Road Rage):
2009 2008
1. Portland, Ore. 1. Pittsburgh
2. Cleveland 2. Portland, Ore.
3. Baltimore 3. Seattle
4. Sacramento 4. Minneapolis/St. Paul
5. Pittsburgh 5. Cleveland


Other cities surveyed include Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.

To boost safety awareness, this year's survey sought to define road rage in America. Responses overwhelmingly pointed to two important attributes:

-- Angry drivers, including drivers who overreact and lose their tempers

-- Aggressive driving, including cutting into lanes, tailgating, speeding
and honking

When asked the major causes of road rage, the most frequent responses were:

-- Bad/careless driving, such as cutting others off, speeding,
tailgating, talking on cell phones, making obscene gestures and not
using proper signals
-- People who are angry, stressed, frustrated, tired or had a bad day
-- People being in a hurry, impatient or running late
-- Traffic problems, accidents, poor road conditions or construction
-- Inconsiderate, disrespectful, selfish drivers who think they own the
road

Behaviors by other drivers that cause stress for commuters and can lead to road rage include:

-- Drivers who talk on their cell phones (84 percent see this every day)
-- Driving too fast (58 percent)
-- Tailgating (53 percent)
-- Drivers eating or drinking while driving (48 percent)
-- Texting or e-mailing while driving (37 percent)

Commuters also reported other drivers frequently:
-- Cutting over without notice (43 percent see this every day)
-- Doing other things - putting on makeup, shaving or reading behind the
wheel (27 percent)
-- Slamming on the brakes (25 percent)
-- Running red lights (22 percent)

As a reaction to rude or bad driving by others, people surveyed admitted that they:

-- Honk their horn at the offending driver (43 percent admit doing this
every month)
-- Curse at the other driver (36 percent)
-- Wave their fist or arms (13 percent)
-- Make an obscene gesture (10 percent)
-- Call the police to report the driver (7 percent)
-- Slam into the car in front of them (1 percent)

Other key findings of the study:
-- Younger drivers and those who have the longest commutes say they are
most likely to talk on their cell phones and drive too fast on a daily
basis.
-- Talking on cell phone. Eighty-four percent see this every day. St.
Louis drivers led this category (92 percent), and Portland motorists
see it the least (76 percent).
-- Driving too fast. Across the country, 58 percent see this aggressive
behavior daily. San Diego and Houston drivers were most likely to
observe speeding motorists (64 percent), while Cleveland, Denver and
Portland drivers were least likely to see this every day (51 percent).
-- Tailgating. Fifty-three percent of motorists see this every day.
Minneapolis drivers (65 percent) see this most often, and Pittsburgh
drivers (43 percent) see this the least.
-- Eating and/or drinking. This common road rage trigger is observed by
48 percent of drivers daily. Motorists in St. Louis (61 percent) see
this most every day, while only 34 percent of drivers in Pittsburgh
observe it.
-- Cutting over without notice. Nationally, 43 percent of drivers see
this every day, and motorists in Miami (54 percent) were the most
likely to observe this behavior. Cleveland, Philadelphia and Portland
drivers (29 percent) are least likely to see this daily.
-- Texting and/or e-mailing. These road rage inducers scored high with
37 percent of commuters observing this behavior every day. Drivers in
Detroit and San Francisco see the most text-happy drivers (47
percent), while Baltimore and Sacramento see the least (28 percent).
-- Slamming on the brakes. Some 25 percent of drivers witness this
daily, and those in Atlanta and San Diego (31 percent) are most likely
to see this behavior every day. That's compared to only 19 percent in
Boston.
-- Running red lights. Twenty-two percent said they see drivers every
day who run red lights. Drivers in Minneapolis are the most likely to
witness this behavior daily (34 percent), while Portland motorists (11
percent) were least likely to see this offense.
-- Multi-tasking. Overall, 27 percent said they see other drivers
multi-tasking, like putting on makeup, shaving or reading, while
driving. Miami (38 percent) emerged as the city where this is most
likely to be seen, while Phoenix and Sacramento (19 percent) drivers
were least likely to see it.

Survey Methodology

Prince Market Research, an independent marketing research company, was commissioned to conduct a nationally representative telephone study with consumers in 25 major metropolitan areas in the U.S. to learn more about consumer views on road rage. All telephone calls were conducted between Jan. 8 and March 24, 2009, during which period, a total of 2,518 interviews, lasting an average of six to eight minutes each, were completed. No incentive was offered and the sponsor of the research was not revealed. The margin of error is +/- 2 percent.

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Teens, Education Experts and Political Leaders Discuss Dropout Crisis at National Teen Town Hall Meeting in Atlanta

/PRNewswire / -- A new survey released today by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT) shows that 31% of teens say getting a job to support themselves or their family is the biggest obstacle they face in graduating from high school; a majority (54%) say the election of President Obama makes them much more hopeful about their future education.

Every 26 seconds, another teen drops out of high school, and 30% fail to graduate annually. BGCA and TBFT are bringing together teens from across the country, along with education and political experts, to participate in a Teen Town Hall meeting today in Atlanta to discuss the survey findings, the escalating graduation crisis, and possible solutions.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to making a significant impact on high school teen dropout rates," said Roxanne Spillett, president, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "BGCA's efforts will promote the importance of a high school education, build school-parent partnerships, identify and retain high-risk youth, and implement comprehensive programs."

Town Hall panelists include Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.; Bob Wise, former Governor of West Virginia and president of the Alliance for Excellent Education; Ron Clark, founder, The Ron Clark Academy; Ron Fairchild, executive director, National Center for Summer Learning, Johns Hopkins University; and Roxanne Spillett, president/CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Panelists and teens will discuss the teen graduation crisis and develop suggestions for change that will be delivered to political leaders in DC.

"The dropout crisis is a responsibility we all share and one that seriously threatens the future of our country," said Bob Fulmer, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. "We are committed to bring money, awareness and volunteers to this cause so more teens have the foundation they need to succeed."

The Teen Graduation Crisis Survey was conducted in March 2009 and completed by nearly 1,000 respondents, ages 13-18 years old and living in the United States. The survey was conducted by Survey Monkey, an objective, third-party online survey tool. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 2 %.

Survey Highlights (http://marketing.bgca.org/press for complete survey):

-- More than half (54%) of teens report that the election of President
Obama has made them much more hopeful about their future education;
27% say Obama's election to office has made them somewhat more
hopeful.
-- Seventy-four percent of teens know someone who has dropped out of high
school. When asked what those dropouts were doing now, 48% said they
were unemployed; 54% said raising a child; 39% said working in a
low-paying job; 29% said involved in a gang; and only 12% said the
dropouts they knew were in a successful career.
-- Parents/guardians are the authority figures that have the strongest
influence on teens to stay in school and graduate (62%); followed by
grandparents (8%); and coaches and teachers/school officials (8% and
7% respectively).
-- Getting a job to support themselves or their family is the biggest
obstacle in graduating from high school, according to nearly one third
of respondents (31%); followed by not being able to keep up with
school work (17%); boredom (15%); negative peer pressure (11%); lack
of support/motivation (9%); safety (4%) and bullying (3%).
-- Training for real life jobs was the #1 response (32%) to the question:
What does your school need more of? Followed by state-of-the-art
technology (14%); better library/more books and resources (10%); and
more language offerings (7%).
-- The #1 issue that teens would like the current White House
Administration to address is the cost of college (24%); followed by
drugs/alcohol abuse (15%), crime/violence (14%), teen pregnancy (14%)
and high school dropouts (8%).

-- Ten years from now, 32% of teens expect to earn $100,000 or more
annually in their careers; 42% expect to earn between $50,000 and
$100,000.

By the Numbers (According to National Statistics)
-- Nearly one-third of all public high school students -- and nearly one
half of all African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans -- fail
to graduate with their class*.
-- 88% of youth had passing grades when they dropped out of school; 91%
of those dropouts said they knew that graduating was vital to their
future success. (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

-- If the students who dropped out of the class of 2008 had graduated,
the U.S. economy would have benefited from an additional $319 billion
in income over their lifetimes. (*Bridgeland, John; DiIulio, John,
Jr.; Morison, Karen Burke (2006). The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of
High School Dropouts. Washington DC: Civic Enterprises.)

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One in Five Augustans With Type 2 Diabetes Mistakenly Believe That Being Obese or Overweight Can Positively Impact Their Disease

/PRNewswire/ -- Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) announced findings today from a recent survey conducted by national research firm Yankelovich that found that more than one in five Augustans with type 2 diabetes mistakenly think that excess weight has a positive effect on the disease. In fact, research shows that being overweight often contributes to the development of diabetes, complicates proper management of the disease and can lead to other serious conditions, including blindness, kidney damage and cardiovascular disease.

Survey findings also revealed that the recession is taking a negative toll on how Augustans manage their diabetes. One in four have reduced their level of diabetes care to save money, either by limiting treatment supplies, skipping doctor visits or taking medications less often, which can all lead to significant long-term health risks.

"These findings underscore the need for more education on the importance of proper diabetes management, including the impact of weight, in Augusta and the variety of options available to them," said Dr. Steven Edelman, physician, author and founder of TCOYD.

The survey, which assessed the behaviors and attitudes of Augustans with type 2 diabetes, was commissioned by TCOYD, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 diabetes education organization that offers programs to inform, motivate and empower participants to take control of their diabetes. TCOYD is also holding a diabetes education conference that will help Augustans with diabetes and their loved ones learn how to better manage the disease. The conference and health fair, taking place on Feb. 28, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott, will feature national and local medical experts in diabetes care discussing the latest developments in the treatment of diabetes, the complications of the disease, psychological barriers to controlling diabetes and nutritional issues.

The survey also found that many Augusta residents with type 2 diabetes struggle with managing their weight because of a lack of knowledge of their disease and available treatment options, as well as local challenges specific to Augusta. Survey results include:

* Seventy-nine percent of survey respondents describe themselves as
overweight, and 81 percent say that their doctor has told them to lose
weight to better manage their disease
* Seventy-one percent are aware that there are diabetes medications that
cause weight gain, but almost half are currently taking these
medications. A startling 77 percent are unaware that there are diabetes
medications that can help people lose weight



"These survey findings show that many Augusta residents with type 2 diabetes are unclear on how to manage their disease and do not have the educational and economic resources to make healthy choices," said Dr. Charles Shaefer, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. "It is vital that Augustans receive the necessary information and resources to take care of their health and prevent serious related conditions."

Both diabetes and obesity are growing national epidemics, affecting millions in the United States and worldwide. Recognizing the impact of these and other chronic diseases on the American healthcare system, the new Obama administration is making them a primary health focus. These diseases also have a significant impact in Richmond County, where more than 10 percent of the population has diabetes and more than 30 percent are obese. With so many Augusta residents affected by these diseases, it is vital to understand the best way to manage them.

Pre-registration for the conference is recommended and is $15 per person. On-site registration begins Feb. 28, 2009 at 9 a.m., and costs $20. Financial assistance is available by calling TCOYD. To register or get more information, call (800) 998-2693 or visit http://www.tcoyd.org/.

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Poll Finds Strong Support Across Racial and Ideological Lines for Improving Rehabilitation Services for Prisoners and Ex-Offenders

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A recent poll has found that Americans across the country and in Georgia overwhelmingly support providing progressive rehabilitation and education services for inmates and ex-offenders recently released from prison, underscoring that the nation appears ready to shift criminal justice policies away from mass incarceration, which has not been making communities safer.

Seventy-two percent of respondents nationally and 86 percent of those in Georgia said they are concerned about crime in their community, according to the poll conducted in December 2008 by Zogby International for Community Voices at Morehouse School of Medicine. At the same time, the overwhelming majority of respondents said it is "very important" to improve access to job training, drug treatment, mental health care, mentoring and family assistance before and after inmates are released.

"The poll results strongly indicate that Americans have determined that mass incarceration of criminals, a policy that has been in existence since the 1960s, is not making their neighborhoods safer," said Dr. Henrie Treadwell, director of the Community Voices program. "The nation is crying out for a new policy that rehabilitates criminals and better prepares them to be productive when they are released."

Dr. Treadwell noted that largely because of tougher sentencing, particularly for drug convictions, the incarceration rate in the United States is the highest in the world at 715 inmates per 100,000 residents, far outdistancing the Russians, who are second at 584 per 100,000.

"Communities recognize that the mass incarceration policy needs to be replaced with a mass rehabilitation policy," Dr. Treadwell said. "Our neighborhoods need better health, education, job training and counseling services for inmates that are returning to their communities."

Among the poll results indicating that Americans want to move in that direction:

-- 70 percent of the national respondents and 69 percent of Georgians
said they would rather see additional state money spent on treatment
programs and other services for ex-offenders than on constructing new
prisons.
-- 93 percent nationally and 91 percent in Georgia said that former
felons should be provided with job training.
-- Overwhelming percentages supported providing student loans (80 percent
nationally, 78 percent Georgia), public housing (79 percent
nationally, 73 percent Georgia) and medical services (88 percent
nationally, 84 percent Georgia).


The poll findings cut across ideological lines. Of the 1,039 people interviewed nationally, only 20 percent identified themselves as liberals, while the remainder were moderate (27 percent), conservative (33 percent), very conservative (8 percent) or non-ideological (12 percent). Strong agreement across racial-ethnic lines was found in a national sample that was 74 percent white, 13 percent African-American and 9 percent Hispanic.

"Clearly, Americans are looking for public policies that make communities safer and don't just lock people up to make them more hardened criminals when they are released," Dr. Treadwell said. "We have new leadership in Washington. Hopefully, ending mass incarceration and vastly improving rehabilitation services will be a critical part of the 'change' agenda."

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Poll: 77% of Americans Blame Media for Making Economic Crisis Worse

/PRNewswire/ -- Seventy-seven percent of Americans believe that the U.S. media is making the economic situation worse by projecting fear into people's minds.

The majority of those surveyed feel that the financial press, by focusing on and embellishing negative news, is damaging consumer confidence and damping investment, making a difficult situation much worse. The poll was conducted via telephone, December 4 - 7.

The US survey of 1000 adults was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation and is statistically representative of the total U.S. population. The survey question: "Do you think the financial press is making the economic crisis worse by projecting fear into people's minds?" While the overall response indicated that 77% of Americans answered YES, here are highlights of note:

Household Incomes:
$25k - $35k -- 79% answered YES
$35k - $50k -- 88% answered YES
$50k - $75k -- 76% answered YES
$75k - more -- 78% answered YES

Demographics:
85% of young adults (18-24 yrs old) answered YES
77% of males and females alike answered YES
65% of blacks answered YES

Richard L. Scheff, a national expert on corporate liability and white collar crime issues, warns media that they could potentially be exposed to liability despite apparent constitutional protections:

"Although statements by the media are protected by the First Amendment, the survey results demonstrate that the public believes that the press bears some responsibility for the lack of confidence in the economy. One would hope that the media would act less out of self-interest in these times of national crisis," said Mr. Scheff, vice chairman and partner with Philadelphia-based law firm Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads.

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Consumer Reports Survey: 56 Percent of Americans Think U.S. Needs to Help Citizens More in Tough Economy

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Reports' latest national survey finds that more than half (56%) of respondents think that government hasn't done enough for them in these tough economic times.

Only 17 percent of those polled said the government needs to do more for banks and financial institutions. In the poll, 29 percent said the government went too far in bailing out the financial industry. Thirty-nine percent were unsure.

The Consumer Reports National Research center calculated results based on a nationally representative telephone survey of 2000 adults, conducted in late October 2008. The full report is available in the January issue of Consumer Reports on sale December 2 or at www.ConsumerReports.org.

"The results show that people largely think the bailout won't help average citizens," said Noreen Perrotta, Consumer Reports money editor. "We took a look at the responses and came up with dos and don'ts for consumers dealing with financial distress."

When asked which reforms could help Main Street the most, respondents to CR's poll cited these top actions:

-- Ensuring the financial health of the Social Security system. (88 %)
-- Reducing the national debt. (87%)
-- Protecting pensions and other retirement accounts when companies or
financial institutions go under. (85%)
-- Increase spending on energy exploration, energy efficiency, and
alternative energy sources. (84%)
-- Ensure affordable health care for all Americans. (82%)
-- Increase regulation of financial institutions to ensure responsible
practices. (78%)
-- Extend federal insurance to all deposits in savings and money market
accounts. (78%)
-- Cut taxes for working Americans. (77%)


The rescue plan enacted in October gave broad authority to the Secretary of the Treasury to use as much as $700 billion to shore up the ailing financial industry. Economists say that it will ultimately help millions of people of who are falling victim to the souring economy.

But back on Main Street, the rescue plan may seem like a bitter pill because the money is going to the financial institutions that many see as the cause of the problem. The people CR polled blamed several factors for the economic crisis, including poor lending practices by banks and mortgage companies (27 percent), lack of government oversight (26 percent), Wall Street greed (19 percent), and excessive borrowing by consumers (15 percent).

Lost jobs, lost health care

The top worry of poll respondents was the health of Social Security; 88 percent called the issue important or very important. It most likely looms large because of the increasing fragility of other sources of retirement income. Only about half of working Americans are enrolled in a pension or 401(k) plan. Americans have lost as much as $2 trillion in retirement savings over the past year and a half.

While retirees cope with diminished nest eggs, younger workers worry about unemployment increasing. It could reach 8 percent nationally, according to some estimates. With the loss of jobs comes the loss of health-care coverage. Twenty percent of respondents in CR's survey said they're unable to afford medical bills or drugs; 15 percent said they lost coverage or their benefits were reduced because of the downturn.

Seventy percent of poll respondents would like to see government regulation of mortgage lenders. Only 4 percent said they've missed a mortgage payment, but families stuck with subprime loans are at risk of falling behind.

Some economists fear that the credit-card defaults could be the next shoe to drop in the economy, as overextended borrowers can't meet their payments. Defaults are expected to reach record highs as unemployment increases. Fifty-seven percent of poll respondents said they've reduced their credit-card spending; Eighteen percent said they have had their interest rates increased, been hit with penalty fees, or had their credit lines reduced.

CR's Dos and Don'ts of Dealing with Financial Distress

DO contact your lender immediately if you can't pay your mortgage. You might be able to restructure your loan or get your lender to agree to a lesser amount to pay it off.

DON'T borrow against your 401(k). You'll probably need to repay the loan within five years or it will count as a withdrawal. If you leave your job before then, you'll owe federal and state income taxes on the outstanding loan, plus a ten percent penalty if you're younger than 59 1/2.

DO take advantage of your employer contribution to your 401(k). Put away at least as much as you need to get the maximum matching amount.

DON'T take a refund anticipation loan. They are short-term loans that you pay back with your tax refund. Interest rates can run into the triple digits on an annualized basis. Filing your taxes online and having the refund direct-deposited can get cash to you almost as fast.

DO consider raising your insurance deductibles. That will reduce your premiums. Home-insurance policies, for instance, typically carry a $250 deductible. If you're willing to bear more risk, you can save upward of 15 percent per year in premiums with a $500 deductible.

DON'T take cash advances. Credit-card advances can come with up-front charges of 2 to 4 percent and have a higher interest rate than regular card purchases. Payday loans, which are cash advances on your wages, can cost you $15 to $30 for every $100 you borrow.

DO cut what you can from your budget. You can save a lot on groceries by taking advantage of sales and buying less-expensive store brands. Look at your other monthly expenses to see what you can trim, including premium cable service or pricey coffee drinks.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center calculated results based on a telephone survey of a nationally representative probability of 2,000 adults, 18 years or older in the month of October 2008. The margin of error is +/- 2.2% among a 95% confidence level.

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Volunteers With Ear, Heart For Frogs Sought For Survey

The frogs are calling. The question is, will Georgians who know what they’re hearing answer?

The second year of a calling frog survey in Georgia starts Jan. 15. There are 78 survey routes but only about 30 volunteers lined up to cover them. John Jensen, a senior wildlife biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources, needs some 50 more listeners who can decipher the croaks, trills and peeps of Georgia’s 31 frog species.

It’s not as hard as it sounds. “They’re a lot easier to learn than birds,” Jensen said, explaining that the season, place and call patterns trim the list of frogs that might be sounding off.

The effort is important. The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program survey developed by the U.S. Geological Survey is aimed at tracking regional and national trends in frog distribution and abundance. Given the sensitivity of amphibians to air and water quality changes, those trends can signal environmental problems and shape conservation priorities.

But in Georgia, baseline data is needed first. “You’ve got to know what you’ve got before you know where it’s going,” Jensen said. Which means more survey volunteers with an ear and even a heart for frogs.

Before being assigned one of the pre-set routes scattered across the state, participants must pass an online quiz testing their ability to audibly identify frog species. Helpful resources include http://www.ugapress.org/AmphibsandReptiles.html, which features recordings and photographs as a supplement to the new reference “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia.” The DNR Wildlife Resources Division also has available the compact disk "Calls of the Wild – Vocalizations of Georgia's Frogs.” The “public” quiz at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz/ allows would-be monitors to test drive their skills.

Volunteers are asked to commit to the survey for at least three years, underscoring the need for consistency in citizen-science projects. Routes are run three nights a year, once each in three call periods: Jan. 15-Feb. 28, March 15-April 30 and May 15-June 30.

To sign up or find out more, contact Jensen at Wildlife Resources’ Nongame Conservation Section in Forsyth, (478) 994-1438 or john.jensen@gadnr.org. Details on the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program are available at http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/.

Copies of “Calls of the Wild” are $15.36 each, including sales tax and shipping. Mail a check payable to Wildlife Conservation Fund to GA DNR/WRD, Nongame Conservation Section, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029, ATTN: Frogs of Georgia CD.

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Medicare Today Launches National Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Awareness Campaign

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health care leaders today announced a national campaign to raise awareness about the 2009 Medicare prescription drug coverage open enrollment period, which runs from November 15 to December 31, 2008.

The campaign is designed to encourage seniors to sign up for prescription drug plans under Medicare's Part D program if they have not already done so, and to remind those seniors who are already enrolled in the program to review their current plan and compare it with other available plans.

"It is extremely important for beneficiaries, especially those with limited income, to take advantage of the choice, convenience and cost savings that Medicare's prescription drug plans offer them," said Mary R. Grealy, president of the Healthcare Leadership Council, a coalition of the nation's leading health care companies and organizations. "This national campaign will help make sure seniors are aware that now is the time to enroll in a plan or review their current Medicare drug plan."

The campaign will include television advertising, media coverage and grassroots outreach activities and will highlight the high satisfaction rates among beneficiaries currently enrolled in Part D plans.

Heading into its fourth year, seniors continue to give the program high marks, with 90 percent reporting that they were satisfied with their plan, up 12 points since the beginning of the program, according to a survey released today by Medicare Today, a project of the Healthcare Leadership Council and conducted in September by KRC Research.

"This survey is yet more evidence that the Medicare prescription drug benefit provides seniors with the flexibility they need to choose a plan that's right for them," said former U.S. Senator and Medicare Today Co-Chairman John Breaux.

According to the survey, in addition to high satisfaction rates, beneficiaries report that they're saving money under Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, which have been available to beneficiaries since 2006. Prior to the addition of Part D coverage, millions of Medicare beneficiaries had coverage for hospital and doctor expenses, but not prescription drug expenses. Most seniors agree that their plan is delivering what it said it would when they signed up, and nearly eight in 10 seniors say they are better off now than before the program. Eighty-six percent say their co-payments are affordable, 85 percent say their monthly premiums are affordable, 91 percent say their plan offers a good value, and 71 percent say they've lowered their prescription drug spending.

"During these tough economic times, I'm pleased that the program can provide savings for seniors and that they have the ability to choose the plan that best suits their needs," said former U.S. Senator and Medicare Today Co-Chairman Trent Lott.

"Having access to your medicines is a critical part of healthy aging for all seniors and the Medicare Part D benefit makes that possible," said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). "It is critical that before the deadline of December 31, 2008 all seniors who do not yet have prescription drug coverage sign up for Medicare Part D for their health and their family's piece of mind."

The Alliance announced the availability of help with understanding Medicare benefits through the Alliance's 1-866-SU-FAMILIA (1-866-783-2645) National Hispanic Family Health Helpline. Callers get free reliable and confidential health information in Spanish and English. Bilingual health promotion advisors can also refer callers to a local health care provider in their community and callers can get a free bilingual guide to diabetes and their Medicare benefits.

Current and potential beneficiaries can speak with a Medicare counselor for information about the benefit by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). To prepare for a discussion with a counselor, beneficiaries should have on hand a list of the prescription drugs they take, including the dosage and frequency, and a preferred pharmacy.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder and Medicare Options Compare are two new tools available on www.medicare.gov to assist current beneficiaries and those eligible in process of choosing a plan or comparing a current plan to another option. These tools provide detailed information on all the available plans and the means to compare them based on cost, coverage, service area, and quality.

The Social Security Administration can also provide assistance for those who may qualify financially for extra help with the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare beneficiaries interested in applying for extra help or those who have previously applied and want to check their status can call 1-800-772-1213 to contact their local Social Security office.

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Innovative Firms Gain Widening Profit Advantage, Study Shows

The profitability gap between companies that compete on the basis of innovative products or processes and firms that compete with a low-price advantage has more than doubled over the past three years, a new survey of Georgia manufacturers has found.

The 2008 Georgia Manufacturing Survey also found that Georgia companies are making significant progress in adopting sustainable techniques – another form of innovation – though they tend to focus on short-term cost reduction rather than long-term profitability and growth.

Results of the survey, done periodically to assess the business and technological condition of Georgia’s manufacturing community, were released this week by the Enterprise Innovation Institute and the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The results are based on responses from 738 companies with more than 10 employees.

“Innovation remains as important as ever,” said Philip Shapira, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy and one of the study’s co-authors. “Those Georgia companies that innovate receive rewards for doing so. But a significant number of companies still have not adopted innovation as a leading strategy.”

The survey showed that companies competing on the basis of innovation had a three-year average return on sales of 14.5 percent – nearly twice the 7.6 percent average for companies competing with low prices. In the 2005 Georgia Manufacturing Survey, companies relying on innovation saw an average return on sales of 6.3 percent, compared to about 3.6 percent for the low-cost competitors. The gap between the rewards for these two competitive strategies nearly doubled during the 2005 to 2008 period.

Slightly less than 20 percent of Georgia manufacturers compete based on price, compared to fewer than 10 percent that use innovation as the competitive edge, the study found. Half of Georgia manufacturers report gaining a competitive edge from quality products or services. Other strategies include quick delivery, adding value and adapting to customer needs.

Wage rates are also associated with competitive strategy. Innovative companies pay an average of nearly $42,000 annually per employee, compared to a range of $33,000 to $37,000 for other firms.

The survey studied innovation in products, processes, organizational structures and marketing. About 70 percent of the manufacturers responding to the survey report that they had introduced a new or technologically improved product or process in 2008.

About three-quarters of the Georgia manufacturers report adopting at least one practice aimed at making their operations more sustainable. These include sustainability considerations in the choice of suppliers, selection of raw materials and processing techniques; application of sustainable principles to product design, processing, facility design, packaging and marketing; employee training in sustainable practices; logistics and transportation services; the use, re-use and maintenance of the product, and product “end-of-life” issues.

However, only one in five Georgia manufacturers has an environmental stewardship program, and just 18 percent have set targets for reducing energy use in their facilities. Sustainability is defined as steps taken to minimize the use of natural resources, toxic materials, waste emissions and production materials over the life cycle of the product produced. But it also includes functions to expand sales, such as green branding and eco-labeling – not just cost savings benefits.

“The importance of sustainability is driven by the growth in energy costs, the rise in the cost of natural resources and of waste disposal, and demand from customers who consider sustainability issues when making purchasing decisions,” said Jan Youtie, a study co-author and manager of policy services in the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute. “In the broadest sense, sustainability is about sustaining business, so if manufacturers want to succeed long-term, they need to pay attention to environmental and equity issues, not just economics.”

Manufacturers have long focused on cutting costs through approaches like lean manufacturing, and many companies see sustainability primarily as a way to further those efforts. Such viewpoints may miss important opportunities, Shapira warned.

“Companies continue to focus on near-term cost savings and easily-achievable energy reductions,” he said. “Too few are pursuing the long-term investments in innovation and product lifecycle costing that would help sustain them over the long term.”

Adoption of sustainable techniques varies with the size of companies. “We usually see that large companies adopt new technologies earlier and at a higher rate than small companies, and energy has an inherent scale issue,” Youtie noted. “But there are also benefits for small companies, which can be more agile in adapting to change.”

The 2008 survey is the sixth in the series, and in each edition, manufacturers are asked their top concerns. In 2005, those issues related to process improvement through adoption of lean manufacturing principles. For the 2008 study, those concerns shifted, with a third of manufacturers indicating problems with marketing and sales. Concerns about energy cost grew, with 23 percent of respondents indicating a problem in that area – up from just 10 percent in the 1999 study.

Educational needs also generated attention, with manufacturers concerned about workers having basic skills such as reading and mathematics, as well as more sophisticated technical abilities. Despite the concerns, however, company training investments per employee average only about $150 per year.

The study also found a correlation between the use of public knowledge sources – such as technical or management assistance from Georgia Tech, other universities or public agencies – and higher productivity growth. Companies using outside assistance reported as much as 15 percent more value added for each employee.

And despite its prominence in national public-policy discussions, research and development tax credits were used by only five percent of respondents. This percentage is in contrast to the 45 percent of respondents who said that lack of funds was an important limitation to engaging in innovation.

“Taxes don’t really have a big impact on a company’s strategic decision making,” said Shapira. “If they are doing to do research and development, they’re going to do it regardless. If there are tax breaks available, some companies may apply for them, but we don’t find that the availability of tax credits much affects strategy decisions.”

Support for the study came from the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech, the Center for Paper Business and Industry Services, the Georgia Department of Labor, the QuickStart Program of the Technical College System of Georgia, and Habif, Arogeti and Wynne, LLP. Beyond Shapira and Youtie, authors included Luciano Kay, Ashley Rivera, Bryan Lynch and Andrea Fernandez Ribas.

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Georgia Headed into Troubled Economy Before Fully Recovering From 2001 Recession

A report released today by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute concludes that even as the current economic slowdown hit, Georgia families were still trying to recover from the 2001 recession and its aftermath. The report, State of Working Georgia 2008, examines job growth, unemployment, income, and benefits, using data from the Current Population Survey and American Community Survey, among other sources.

The key findings surrounding the current economic slowdown include:

* From September 2007 to September 2008, Georgia lost 61,100 nonfarm jobs and was one of only five states to experience a statistically significant employment decrease, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
* The number of unemployed workers rose by roughly 100,000 between September 2007 and September 2008, for a total of 317,500 out-of-work Georgians in September 2008. Georgia had the 15th highest unemployment rate in the nation in September.

Data for 2007 on underemployment, incomes, and benefits show that Georgia workers had not fully regained the ground lost during the 2001 recession. In short, before the 2008 economic crisis started, Georgians were still trying to recover from the 2001 recession, as was the case in many states. Data from BLS and Census Bureau surveys show:

* About 8 percent of workers were underemployed in 2007, compared to 6.3 percent in 2001. Underemployed includes unemployed workers, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers who would like full-time jobs.
* Median household income in 2007 remained statistically unchanged compared to 2001, after adjusting for inflation.
* The poverty rate remained high at 14.3 percent in 2007, compared to 11.7 percent in 2001.
* In 2006-2007, 59.9 percent of non-elderly Georgians were covered by employer-sponsored health insurance, compared to 64.4 percent in 2000-2001. The percent of Georgians lacking health coverage rose from 15.0 percent in 2000-2001 to 17.6 percent in 2006-2007.

"The employment conditions in Georgia pose both short-term and long-term challenges, as policymakers must confront the current slowdown and the continued effects of the 2001 recession," noted Sarah Beth Gehl, Deputy Director of GBPI. "For the short-term, our leaders must protect vital public services as workers face unemployment and increased income insecurity. For the long-term, policymakers should focus on raising adult education levels and strengthening work and income supports for workers in low-paying jobs."

The report also examines employment conditions and income based on race, gender, and education, as well as income earned by each income quintile. The report provides budget and policy recommendations for both the current economic crisis and the long-term economic challenges faced by low-income working families.

Short-term recommendations -

* Call on Congress to pass an economic recovery package that includes additional weeks of unemployment benefits, a temporary increase in Food Stamp benefits, and state fiscal relief. (For estimates on the additional funds Georgia would receive under U.S. House and Senate packages, find tables at the end of this report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.)
* Target budget cuts to lower priority programs. With a potential $2 billion state budget shortfall, the state has made across-the-board budget cuts to most state agencies. As Georgia families experience dramatic financial strain in 2008, leaders must ensure that vital government services are adequately funded. Medicaid, PeachCare, child care, and education, to name a few, should be spared as much as possible.
* Raise revenues through strategic tax increases. Rather than relying overwhelming on budget cuts, there should a balanced approached to the budget shortfall, including strategic tax increases. Raising the cigarette tax or implementing a temporary income tax surcharge, for example, would provide needed revenues to avoid further cuts to public services.
* Use the revenue shortfall reserve. Through good fiscal management, Georgia has a $1 billion rainy day fund. Now is the time to use it.

Long-term recommendations -

* Increase the capacity for adult basic education. Georgia invests around $14 per adult without a GED in adult basic education, compared to the national average of $64. Georgia should increase its investment in this area, along with outreach efforts towards nontraditional students and support services for families seeking education opportunities.
* Undertake additional outreach efforts for Medicaid and PeachCare. Of the 300,000 uninsured children in Georgia, an estimated 200,000 are eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare, but not enrolled. Getting eligible children and families enrolled in existing programs can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of available healthcare programs. The federal government covers a majority of the cost of these programs, with an almost 2 to 1 match for Medicaid and 3 to 1 match for PeachCare.
* Increase child care assistance for low- and moderate-income working families. Georgia uses federal dollars to assist low-income families with child care costs, but continues to have a waiting list for assistance. At the same time, Georgia subsidizes child care through the tax system, with millions of forgone tax dollars subsiziding child care for upper-income families. Policymakers should end the child care subsidy for higher-income Georgians and more fully assist low-income working families.
* Create a state earned income tax credit (EITC), enhance outreach efforts around the federal EITC, and raise the state minimum wage to the federal level.

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Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Remain Volatile

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mortgage rates fell this week, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to 6.2 percent. According to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey, the average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.4 discount and origination points.

The average 15-year fixed rate mortgage popular for refinancing retreated to 5.95 percent, while the average jumbo 30-year fixed rate was down slightly to 7.61 percent. Adjustable mortgage rates were sharply lower, with the average 1-year ARM down to 5.89 percent and the average 5/1 ARM pulling back to 6.21 percent.

Mortgage rates continue to be volatile, yo-yoing up and down from one day to the next. Heightened economic worries pushed mortgage rates lower versus last week, but the continued twists and turns of the credit crunch are certain to produce more volatility in mortgage rates. Although mortgage rates are pegged to long-term Treasury yields, the spread above risk-free Treasury yields is ever-changing as credit worries prevail. The movement of fixed mortgage rates is not directly influenced by the Federal Reserve's cut to short-term interest rates.

This year has been a wild ride for mortgage rates, with a low in January of 5.57 percent and a high of 6.77 percent in July. At today's rate of 6.20 percent, a $200,000 loan carries a monthly payment of $1,224.94.

SURVEY RESULTS

30-year fixed: 6.20% -- down from 6.41% last week (avg. points: 0.4)
15-year fixed: 5.95% -- down from 6.14% last week (avg. points: 0.44)
5/1 ARM: 6.21% -- down from 6.49% last week (avg. points: 0.36)



Bankrate's national weekly mortgage survey is conducted each Wednesday from data provided by the top 10 banks and thrifts in the top 10 markets.

For a full analysis of this week's move in mortgage rates, go to http://www.bankrate.com/mortgagerates

The survey is complemented by Bankrate's weekly forward-looking Rate Trend Index, in which a panel of mortgage experts predicts which way the rates are headed over the next 30 to 45 days. More than half of respondents, 53 percent, expect rates to retreat further in the coming weeks. However, 41 percent predict a rebound in mortgage rates, while just 6 percent forecast that mortgage rates will remain more or less unchanged in the next 30 to 45 days.

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New Poll Shows American's Stress Levels Rising

PRNewswire/ -- Americans are feeling more stress today than they did six months ago, according to a new national stress study. The survey of 1,000 men and women, ages 18 and older, revealed that 47 percent of respondents currently feel more stress than they did six months ago. And no surprise, the #1 source of stress reported is personal finance concerns, the top response for almost half (49%) of those surveyed. Surprisingly, international unrest, the war and the presidential election were reported significantly lower as primary causes of stress, registering only 2 percent each.

The stress survey, conducted by Booth Research and sponsored by The Ester-C Company, focused primarily on American's self-reported sources of stress and methods for coping with stress. Additionally, the study sheds light on the effects of stress, and the correlation between stress and physical health. 85 percent of respondents reported that they believe stress weakens their body's immune system. According to the survey, females are more likely than men to be aware of the connection that stress can have on immune health.

"Recognition of where stress originates and how it manifests, with regard to health, is an important first step that individuals can take to develop strategies for coping," says noted immune health expert Mark Moyad, M.D., University of Michigan. "Stress can take a serious toll on the human body if unmanaged, and is a contributing factor to the cold and flu season, which takes place in the United States during the months where extreme weather conditions provide an additional layer of stress to manage."

Young and Stressed, Older and Mellower

Young people report higher levels of stress than their older counterparts. Nearly six in ten respondents, in the 35-44 years of age category, reported high or very high levels of stress (58%), while less than one quarter (23%) of respondents in the 55 plus age group reported experiencing the same upper levels of stress. The youngest age group surveyed, those 18-24 years of age, registered the highest response (64%) indicating they are more stressed now than 6 months ago.

Stress Leads to Lack of Z-Z-Z-Z's

The majority (55%) of survey respondents asked about stress effects cited "ability to get a good night's sleep" as the top response. Another one-third reported that stress is impacting their physical health, and nearly as many reported that stress affects their personal relationships (32%).

Americans Adapt New Age Approaches for Handling Stress

When asked about stress coping strategies, more respondents cited "meditation and breathing techniques" (28%) than the more traditional approach of "taking a vacation" (25%), which may also point to economic factors -- that can turn vacationing into as much a source of stress as a stress reliever. On a healthy note, "exercise" tops the list of reported methods for tackling stress.

Survey Background

Booth Research conducted the online survey among 1,000 adults (ages 18 and older) in the continental United States. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions, and Booth Research obtained a nationally representative sample of online panel respondents to complete this study.

The overall sample of 1,000 consumers yields a sample reliability of plus or minus 3.1%, which is the maximum difference explainable through random chance in 95% of all samples of this size.

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Survey to Gauge Condition of Atlanta Real Estate Industry

Georgia State University Real Estate Department Honorary Board meeting
7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2
The Commerce Club, 16th floor, Lane Room, 34 Broad St., Atlanta, GA

Bringing together some of the captains of Atlanta’s real estate industry, the real estate department at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business hopes to take the temperature of the local market, and determine how movers and shakers see the future.

At the next meeting of the real estate department’s Honorary Board, which includes more than 50 CEOs, VPs, attorneys and others working in the industry, the department will launch a survey of how those leaders view their industry and its prospects.

“Real estate is huge in Atlanta and as goes real estate, so goes Atlanta, and it’s been that way for a while,” said Julian Diaz III, the chair of the Robinson College’s real estate department. “If this group thinks that the next two years are going to be tough years, that’s going to be important information,” he said.

The survey queries board members about their impressions of Atlanta’s economy, stability of commercial and residential markets, the outlook on interest rates, and what kind of impact each presidential contender might have on the health of the U.S. economy. Diaz said some questions on the survey will be posed again at future meetings in order to chart the development of trends.
Results of the electronic survey will be available once it’s completed. The meeting will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Lane Room on the 16th floor of the Commerce Club, 34 Broad St., Atlanta.

Georgia State University Economic Forecasting Center Director Rajeev Dhawan will be the keynote speaker.

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Living in Georgia Less Stressful According to New Survey

PRNewswire/ -- While 93 percent of Americans report attempting to make everyday choices to be healthy and live well, more than half (55 percent) of Georgia residents say they struggle to do so, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index, a recent national survey of more than 15,000 Americans regarding their health and wellness. Georgia residents report that the two main barriers preventing them from living a healthier lifestyle include lack of time (36 percent) and the costs associated with eating a balanced diet (24 percent).

Free YMCA Wellness Events

In support of individuals and families struggling to make healthier choices, Amway Global and the YMCA are hosting free wellness events open to the public at select YMCAs on Sept. 20, 2008, as part of America On the Move Week. As a first step, health seekers can go to http://www.inspirewellness.com/ and take the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment. Then, they can bring their summary reports to a local YMCA to talk with a health and wellness staff member about steps they can take toward a healthier life. Go to http://www.inspirewellness.com/ for a list of participating YMCAs in Georgia.

Georgia Wellness Challenges:

Exercise

The survey shows that one-quarter (25 percent) of Georgia residents, versus 23 percent of Americans, are not exercising for at least 30 minutes or more at a time on a regular basis. That's well under the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation of a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day or a minimum of 20 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity three days a week. When it comes to the work commute, 91 percent of Georgia residents drive or use public transportation. However, when they do exercise, the focus is on general wellness (33 percent), cardiovascular endurance (25 percent) and increasing muscle tone (17 percent).

Stress

Thirty-five percent of Georgians report having a "very" or "somewhat" high stress level, according to the Amway Global Wellness Index. Forty-four percent of Georgia residents find that talking to family and friends is a highly effective way of coping with their stress. Increasing physical activity (33 percent) and sleep (26 percent) also top the list, while 16 percent turn to food for comfort and 16 percent practice yoga. Only 7 percent of residents decrease the time they spend using technology gadgets to reduce stress.

Sleep

While 37 percent of Georgia residents report that not getting enough exercise is one of the biggest wellness challenges, 34 percent also report getting enough sleep as a major challenge. Only 10 percent of Georgians judge their current state of wellness by the amount of sleep they get.

Weight

Nearly half (48 percent) of Georgia residents consider themselves obese or overweight, yet only one-quarter (25 percent) of Georgia respondents gauge their state of wellness by their current weight.

The Election, Economy and Wellness

Thirty-seven percent of Georgians and 33 percent of Americans claim that the candidates' positions on personal wellness will influence how they vote this election. Additionally, 42 percent of Americans, versus 41 percent of Georgians, report that the economy is having a negative impact on their wellness choices. For the nation, current economic conditions also are negatively affecting the wellness of 51 percent of non-working parents, versus 43 percent of working parents. And, when it comes to the battle of the sexes, the health of women is affected more by the economy (44 percent) than men (40 percent).

About the Amway Global Wellness Index

The Amway Global Wellness Index is a national survey of 15,035 American adults ages 18 and older to uncover American views toward the concept of wellness and individual, family and community wellness. Commissioned by Amway Global, the study has an estimated margin of error of +/-0.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. For more information and state-specific statistics, go to http://www.inspirewellness.com/.

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New Survey Finds Georgians Support Increased Access to Domestic Oil and Natural Gas Resources

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Georgians are concerned about the price of gasoline and the majority of them support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources, a new survey finds.

"This research confirms what every recent poll has shown. Georgians, like Americans everywhere, are feeling the crush of high gasoline costs and support increasing domestic supplies of oil and natural gas," said Ric Cobb, executive director of the Georgia Petroleum Council (GPC). "Sadly, some in Congress are ignoring this groundswell and blocking a balanced energy policy that includes development of America's vast natural resources, along with more conservation, energy efficiency and increased supplies of all sources of energy."

The poll was conducted by telephone between July 10 and July 27, 2008 by Harris Interactive and commissioned by API. The survey of 501 registered Georgia voters who are likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election found 66 percent of those surveyed said they somewhat or strongly support increased access to domestic oil and natural gas resources. Only 23 percent of respondents said they opposed increased access. An overwhelming 97 percent said they are somewhat or very concerned about the price of gasoline.

"America's oil and natural gas companies are ready to work with government at all levels to enact a comprehensive energy plan that includes increasing domestic supplies while protecting our environment," said Cobb. "It's time for Congress to lift the ban on offshore drilling."

Currently, Congress is blocking the exploration and development of abundant oil and natural gas reserves beneath non-park federal lands and coastal waters. Advanced technology means America's oil and natural gas companies can efficiently explore for these resources while protecting the environment. Based on federal government data, these resources could provide enough oil to fuel more than 65 million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years.

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Survey Finds 29% of Americans Receiving Nonprofit Financial Counseling Use Federal Tax Stimulus to Pay for Food, Gasoline

PRNewswire -- A survey of 3,004 persons across the United States who receive financial counseling from a national nonprofit agency found that 29.4% used funds from their tax stimulus check to pay for everyday expenses, such as food and gasoline, while 20% said they paid down their credit card debt.

In addition, almost 5% of those surveyed said they utilized the funds to help them prevent foreclosure of their home or avoid bankruptcy. An additional 7.5% said the funds "give some more time to organize their finances and possibly avoid" these two scenarios.

In response to the question, "If you are facing foreclosure, will this check help you avoid foreclosure?" 3.5% responded "yes." An additional 5.1% of those surveyed, said the stimulus payment "gives some more time to organize finances and possibly avoid foreclosure."

Approximately 1.4% surveyed, said the funds would help them avoid bankruptcy, while 2.4% said the funds will allow them more time to organize their finances and possibly avoid bankruptcy.

The survey was conducted in late June by Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta, a national nonprofit agency that provides credit counseling, as well as counseling to prevent foreclosure and avoid bankruptcy, to people in all 50 states. Of the 3,004 responding to the survey, 2,147 had received their check from the federal government.

"Many Americans are using the federal stimulus checks to help them get by and pay for everyday expenses," said Suzanne Boas, president of CCCS of Greater Atlanta. "The extra money is providing them breathing room with their creditors, including those who want to avoid foreclosure and keep their homes."

Approximately $106.7 billion in stimulus payments will be made this year to 130 million households. The payments began on April 28 and are scheduled to be completed by mid-July.

Rather than spend funds on new purchases, the survey also shows that some Americans are using the stimulus checks to make additional payments on their mortgage, car or other loans, and others are using the funds for home repairs. For example:

-- 7.8% said they would use the funds to make an additional payment on their mortgage;

-- 9% said they would make an additional payment on another debt, such as a car payment or a student loan;

-- Approximately 5.6% of respondents said the funds will be used to make home repairs;

-- 2.5% said they would use the funds to pre-pay their property or income taxes for 2008.

Other survey findings include:

-- Approximately 82% of the people surveyed said they plan to save 20% or less of the tax stimulus funds they receive.

Asked to rate the state of their current financial situation on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the "most stressful," about 33.6% of respondents rated their situation a "1."

When asked, "What is your confidence level in the economy six months from now," 66% expect it to worsen and only 11% expect it to improve. The remaining people surveyed expect the economy to remain the same.