Researching PSAs

1. Baby Boomer Care Givers: A Need for Hygiene

1. why is this issue pertinent and timely?
Basic hygiene and good health are issues that are being brought up a lot in the news. Between scares like the N1H1 flu and more non-specific causes for poor health like germs in the house and not taking proper precautions with physical tasks (such as heavy lifting), there are a lot of illnesses and injuries that can be prevented from just taking basic precautions.

2.what are its causes?
Illness and injury can be caused because of inattention or ignorance to health and wellness standards. Poor personal hygiene, hygiene in public spaces and in private homes. Lack of proper tools (machinery or things like braces) to help with physical tasks at home or work.

3. what are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?
To individuals, the effects can range from light to serious consequences.
Light: some sicknesses are contracted or light injuries that heal over time happen. In a serious case, lack of personal health and safety can result in contracting life-threatening diseases or injuries that could change their lives permanently (and also cost them a lot of money, loss of mobility, loss of job, etc-many consequences).

To the greater society, most of the same holds true. In public places, poor hygiene can lead to outbreaks or viruses or sicknesses that spreads to effect everyone. Children and employees of large companies are examples of people that are stuck in high-traffic, close-proximity quarters with their peers, and it often only takes one sick person to turn the place into a hot zone.

4. what are preventative measures?
Simple health and hygiene can prevent these things.
washing your hands regularly
cleaning objects that you use regularly but might not think about (light switches, doorknobs, fridge handles, sink knobs, etc)
being aware of high-risk areas in public spaces (bathrooms, food tables, telephones)
thoroughly cleaning your home/all surfaces

5. how does this issue relate to your sub-culture?
they are getting older, with comes with a weaken immune system. In addition, the caretaking that they do can put extra physical and mental strain on their bodies, making them more likely to get hurt or sick. This is also an important nature because of the nature of their work and who they work with. They come into close contact with their patient all day. If they are sick, they will not be able to efficiently take care of their patient. Also, the patient might have a weak immune system depending on their circumstances. It is in both of their interest to keep themselves and their environment safe and hygienic.

6. what organizations have a vested interest in this issue?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health

7. what organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?
Medicaid
Medicare

8. what public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?
UNISEF - Hand washing campaign “Spread the Word - Not Germs”
Department of Health ( and a ton of other organizations) - Flu Campaigns


2. Baby Boomer Care Givers: Financial Planning


1. why is this issue pertinent and timely?
As a country, America is in debt. Individual citizens are also in a lot of debt. In previous generations, there was not a lot of emphasis on the importance of long-term financial planning. These people grew up without clear plans, and while some have been fiscally responsible, by and large there is a big issue with over spending.


2. what are its causes?
Reckless spending, lack of a financial plan, credit card use, over-spending on nonessential items, lack of thought for the future,


3. what are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?
To an individual, the lack of financial planning can result in a lack of funds when they’re required. For emergencies, there is no emergency fund saved up and then their budget isn’t equipped to handle the cost. This might result in the individual having to take out additional loans, landing themselves further in debt.

Reckless spending is another reason for debt that racks up more and more, with little chance of making it out without a plan. Individuals spend too much money on non-essential items, and often use credit cards they can’t pay back. Because there is a lack of understanding and credit
is mistaken for cash, the individual feels they have limitless funds.

To the greater society, this lack of financial security is a constant issue in the government. For instance, our country is largely in debt to many different countries right now, spending more and more money that the American people can’t pay back. This effects our stability as a nation, it effects our relationships with other societies, it causes issues back home like tax raises and loss of the value of a dollar. On a smaller societal scale, companies are unable to support themselves and file bankruptcy, and many end up getting bailed out with tax-payers money.

A poor economy combined with a lack of financial planning can land someone in messes from light debt, serious debt, to losing their property and homes.


4.what are preventative measures?
Creating both a long term and short term financial plan can prepare an individual for unexpected events as well as getting their future financially settled. This includes accounting for retirement.


5. does this issue relate to your sub-culture?
This is pertinent to the Baby Boomer subculture because of the vast amount of money that they can end up spending if their patient falls into bad (or worse) health. Since these health issues often come about very suddenly, it’s a common problem that the family becomes strapped for money after they’re hit with their new life-changing situation.

6. what organizations have a vested interest in this issue?
Financial Planning Standards Council
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Public-Service-Announcement-Have-You-Had-Your-Financial-Planning-Week-Health-Check-Up-1329971.htm

Retirement Savings Organization Campaign
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/savingmatters.html

7. what organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?
Medicare
Medicaid


8. what public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?
None that I could find

3. KC Bicycle Commuters

1. why is this issue pertinent and timely?
Cycling is becoming a bigger and bigger method of transportation. Whether because it is viable or just a trend, it’s something that’s gotten a lot of attention in the last couple years. Cities all over the country are becoming more bike friendly. Divers get a lot of criticism for not being good about sharing the road and respecting cyclists. But it also the cyclist’s job to be aware of whats around them and all of the laws and regulations that apply to them.

2. what are its causes?
Mostly, it is just the ignorance of the laws around them, but sometimes can also include apathy to regard the laws (both cars and cyclists)

3. what are detrimental effects to individuals? to greater society?
To an individual, the effect is their safety. Without a clear knowledge of the rules that apply to them while cycling, there is a disconnect between them and the drivers. Signals, safe turning and other bike laws keep the cyclist safe.
To society, road safety is always a concern. But especially now, with raising gas prices causing more people to find alternate means of commuting, making sure that commuters that are new cyclists know the correct way to go about it is important for everyone’s safety.

4. what are preventative measures?
Education of the proper rules, regulations and laws required to ride a bicycles on the road with traffic

5. how does this issue relate to your sub-culture?
This subculture is very serious about using the bicycle to commute around town. There’s no sort of “driver’s test” or license for riding their bikes, but that doesn’t really exempt them from needing to know about the rules of the road.

6. what organizations have a vested interest in this issue?
League of American Cyclists
http://www.bikeleague.org/

Urban Velo
http://urbanvelo.org/

The Local Law Enforcement

7. what organizations have a vested interest in your sub-culture?

League of American Cyclists
http://www.bikeleague.org/

Urban Velo
http://urbanvelo.org/
Bicycle Transportation Alliance
http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/decidetoride.php

8. what public service campaigns have previously addressed this issue?

Decide to Ride PSA - Bicycle Transportation Alliance


Other Links
http://police.wvu.edu/safety_on_campus/bicycle_safety_and_security
http://www.sfbike.org/?safety
http://www.whycycle.co.uk/safety_and_security/bicycle_locks/
http://www.sfbike.org/?bikelaw_sfpd_video