Poverty hits educational development, and hard. Take a look at this graph about WI test scores for 4th graders. The poorer the students were (i.e. how much of their lunch is subsidized), the worse they performed in math and reading tests. This heartbreaking gap in learning should be fixed at the the federal level. Less poverty = higher-achieving kids.

(Source: mn2020hindsight.org)

Growth domestic product only tells us a few things about the well-being of countries. Check out this “Better Life Index”, which takes into account health, education, environment, crime, housing, money, jobs, and other variables. 

(Source: economist.com)

America now spends less on groceries than we did 30 years ago. However, out of the money we do spend on groceries, we buy more processed foods like snacks, canned soups, and frozen dinners.

(Source: npr.org)

Cigarette taxes work. If California approves a new cigarette tax, it would almost certainly drive down the the state’s smoking rate, and make Americans healthier.

(Source: washingtonpost.com)

Where are you most likely to die from a non-communicable disease? Non-communicable diseases include cancer and heart disease. The Economist shows us exactly where. 

(Source: economist.com)

Motorcycle deaths have more than doubled in the U.S. since 1997. Riders account for 1 in 7 traffic deaths. However, only 19 states currently have helmet laws. 

(Source: motherjones.com)

Whose economy is bigger, the United States, or China? Well the answer varies, depending on whom you ask. Take a look at this chart to see which countries pick China over the U.S.

(Source: economist.com)

The world is producing more oil than it needs for the first time in years. What do YOU think this is going to do the future of energy?

(Source: washingtonpost.com)

The community priorities of the American people, in one infographic. 40% of Americans in urban areas say their communities are heading for the worse, and offer some suggestions for how to fix them. 

(Source: theatlanticcities.com)

The Education gap. Our economy is already suffering a shortage of skilled workers, and it is getting worse. Closing the gap will require new priorities and the resources to develop an additional 1 million skilled workers annually.