Size doesn’t matter. G-Xers, smallest of generational groups, spends the most on luxury goods [American Express]

When it comes to luxury goods, the buying power Gen Xers far exceeds their size

• The 46 million members of Generation X represent $125 billion in spending power
• Every year they spend:
  $3,235 annually on fragrances, cosmetics and beauty products
  $6,066 annually on fashion accessories
  $23,027 annually on men's and women's clothing
  $3,922 annually on wines and liquors

But… Millenials might be the best stimulus package (Millennialmarketer.com)

Gen Y influences as much as half of all spending in the US economy

• More than 4 in 5 (81%) of clothing/apparel purchases
• More than 3 in 4 (77%) of food/grocery purchases
• Technology related purchases:
  - Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) video game/system purchases
  - More than 2 in 3 (68%) computer purchases
  - 2 in 3 (66%) cell phone purchases

Politically uninvolved? You got the wrong generation (Pew Research)

Millenials prove their critics wrong by being socially and politically active

• 49% of people ages 18-29 voted in the 2004 election, up 9% from 2000 (40%)
• Millennials are more likely to vote Democrat than Republican (51% Democrat vs. 37% Republican)
• 58% favor gays/lesbians adopting children
• 48% support gay marriage
• 68% approve of inter-racial dating
• 31% believed abortion should be “generally available”

Want to talk to generation X? Do it in many languages [NASA Recruitment]

The large number of immigrants in Generation X makes diverse messaging a must

• Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) immigrants is a Gen Xer
• At least 1 in every 7 individuals in Gen X is an immigrant
• More than 6 in 10 (62%) Gen Xer’s is White, while 13% are African American, 12% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 1% American Indian

HEALTHCARE

Americans Divided about Higher Premiums for the Unhealthy (Kaiser Family Foundation)

A divided nation changes their minds once they understand the impact on their fellow Americans

• Nearly half (47%) say health insurance companies should charge higher premiums for people who engage in unhealthy behavior
• of that 47%, 2 in 3 (67%) changed their minds when told that higher premiums could make it harder for low income and people experiencing real health problems to get insurance
• Nearly half (49%) say health insurance companies should not charge higher premiums for people who engage in unhealthy behavior
• of that 49%, a large majority (56%) changed their minds when told that higher premiums could help control health care costs and encourage healthier behaviors

Amid Unease and Falling Approval Ratings, Americans know the Present Healthcare System is Unsustainable (NY Times)

Americans recognize the status quo can’t last much longer and are calling for fundamental change

• 4 in 5 (80%) are concerned that the percentage of Americans without healthcare will continue to rise if congress doesn’t act
• 2 in 3 (66%) are concerned that they will eventually lose their insurance if the government doesn’t create a new health care system
• Nearly half (49%) said they supported fundamental changes in the current system
  1 in 3 (33%)percent said the health care system needed to be completely rebuilt
• Americans recognize the status quo can’t last much longer and are calling for fundamental change

TECHNOLOGY

Americans Overall Support Nuclear Energy, but the Differences between them show a Lack of Consensus [Gallup]

Gender, income and political orientation shape views about nuclear energy

• Nearly 3 in 5 Americans (59%) favor the use of nuclear energy in US
• More than 7 in 10 men (71%) favor the use of the nuclear energy vs. nearly half of women (47%)
• 3 in 4 Americans (75%) whose household incomes are at least $75,000 favor the use of nuclear energy vs. just 2 in 5 (41%) of those with household incomes of less than $30,000
• Republicans are more in favor of nuclear energy than Democrats by 19%, (71% of Republicans vs. 52% of Democrats)

The Internet helps Americans Weather through the Economic Storm [Pew Internet]

Online information has become a popular source of advice about recession induced economic and financial issues

• Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) of all Americans have used the internet to cope with the recession- as a way to find bargains, jobs, and ways to upgrade their skills, better investment strategies, and government benefits
• Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) of all internet users seek financial relief when online
  
  

TECHNOLOGY

Americans Watch Enough TV to Satisfy a Part Time Job [NationMaster]

With nearly every American having access to a TV in their own home, the time spent watching TV is the highest in the world.

• Almost all Americans (98%) have TVs in their home
• The average American watches 4 hours of TV a day; 28 hours a week
• Americans watch more TV than any other country

Forget About Gas Prices and the Economy. Americans are Still Going to Drive [Rasmussen]

Although the majority of Americans say they are concerned about the economy and environment, it is not enough to keep them from driving.

• Nearly 9 in 10 Americans drive to work
• Only 22% say they would spend more money on a hybrid to help the environment
• 4 in 5 Americans say the cost of fuel will play at least a small role in the purchase of their next car; however the threat of rising gas costs is not encouraging them to seek alternative transportation options

The Majority of Americans Blame Technology Companies for their Errors [BuzzDash]

Problem with your TV? Can't get the remote to work? Americans are quicker to blame difficulties on the gadget than themselves.

• Nearly 3 in 4 Americans assume there is a problem with the gadget when it does not work
• Only 27% of voters realize the problem may be in their lack of knowledge of technology

HEALTHCARE


Health Care Reform is Needed for the Country, but not Neccesarily in my Home [Kaiser Family Foundation]

While a majority of Americans think the US would be better off with health care reform, less are confident that their families will be.

• 57% of Americans continue to say that the country would be better off if the president and Congress pass health care reform
• Only 39% of these Americans say their own families will be better off with health care reform (decrease of 4% in the last 3 months)

Doctors, Not Politicians Should Decide on Health Care Reform [Gallup]

Americans trust physicians over politicians and big pharma on health care reform.

• 73% of Americans are confident that doctors will recommend the best health care reform policies over any other source:
• 62%-healthcare professors and researchers
• 58%-President Obama
• 40%-pharmaceutical companies
• 35%-health insurance companies

Socialized Medicine? Americans Support a Public Health Care Option [CBS News/NYTimes]

Nearly 2 in 3 Americans believe the government should guarantee healthcare for all.

• 72% support a government-sponsored health care plan to compete with private insurers
• 64% believe the government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans
• 50% think the government would be better than insurance companies at providing medical coverage (increase of 30% from 2007)
• 59% think the government would be at better holding down costs (increase of 47% from 2007)
  

Americans Turn to the Internet for Medical Help but Traditional Sources Still Rule [Pew Research]

Despite an increase in online health inquiries, Americans continue to look to doctors, family and friends for health information.

• 86% of adults still rely on health professionals for information or assistance with medical issues. Other sources include:
• 68%-ask a family member or friend
• 57%-use the internet
• 54%-use books or other printed reference material

Health Consumers Seek User Generated Content, but few Generate Content Themselves [Pew Research]

A majority of online patients access health information from other patients “just like me”, but don’t generate content themselves.

• Whereas 41% of e-patients have read another’s commentary via a website, blog or group, only 6% post comments about themselves
• 24% of e-patients have consulted online reviews or rankings of doctors, whereas only 5% have reported posting doctor reviews online
  

Social Networking Sites Have a Long Way to go as Sources of Healthcare Information [Pew Research]

E-patients that use social networking sites rarely engage in traditional social networking activities about health related matters.

• 39% of e-patients use a social-networking site, but only a small portion have:
• followed their friends' personal health experiences or updates
• posted their own health-related comments
• gotten any health information
• joined a health-related group