Tim Goeglein is an author and policy expert. His new book, "What Really Matters," explains how cultural change has impacted American society and what churches, families, and communities can do to help spark renewal. Â .
In the daycare centers, participation rates rose slightly, but there are still gaps in care for children under 3. The need for full-time places is still not met. Even in schools, falling student numbers do not mean relief for the system. The right to all-day support and care in primary education is increasing.
Most public school districts are cutting staff and budgets this summer as rising costs and falling enrollments squeeze their finances. The school-tracking website Burbio recently highlighted 10 large districts that are making billions of dollars in cuts because dwindling headcount has reduced public funds. President Trump’s mass deportations and expansion of school choice incentives have added to the pressure on public school budgets.
WHO's annual report for 2026 looked at African mortality statistics between 2000 and 2019 and found that on average the continent gained 10 years of additional life expectancy and 9 years of healthy life expectancy. In 2000, the average African could be expected to lead a healthy life until 46. In 2019 that decline was most commonly seen at 55, but in 2019 the average life expectancy rose to 64.
Enrollment in Obamacare exchanges fell by 1.2 million people during the 2026 open enrollment period. It's the largest annual decline since the ACA exchanges launched in 2014. The decline follows the Trump administration's decision to allow enhanced ACA subsidies to expire at the end of 2025. Arizona, Delaware, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, and West Virginia saw the biggest enrollment losses. New Mexico posted the largest gain, with enrollment rising by 18 percent.
Luxury homes are being designed around health, wellness and the ability to age in place. UBS Global Wealth Management estimates the global longevity market will grow from $5.3 trillion in 2023 to $8 trillion by 2030. Wellness real estate has more than doubled in size over the past five years and is projected to surpass $1.1 trillion by 2029.
The conflict in the Middle East has pushed up the overall cost of living. More than 70 million Americans rely on Social Security. The annual benefit increases are tied directly to inflation. The 2027 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will be 4.2 percent. The increase won't take effect until next year.