18 Apr 2024

Minnesota gains 11,000 jobs in March, unemployment steady at 2.7%

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Minnesota gained an estimated 11,000 jobs in March, on a seasonally adjusted basis, with the private sector posting roughly 8,000 jobs, according to data released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The unemployment rate remained steady at 2.7%.

DEED also said Minnesota’s labor force increased by an estimated 3,000 people over the month, bumping the labor force participation rate up one-tenth of a percentage point to 68%. This rate measures the total number of people working full-time or actively seeking work, and is used to calculate the headline unemployment rate.

“March was a great month all around for Minnesota employers and workers,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek in a news release. “Our strong job and labor force growth shows that Minnesota’s economy continues to provide great opportunities for Minnesota residents as well as those who would like to call Minnesota home.”

Five sectors saw job gains, including, including Leisure & Hospitality, up 5,000 jobs; Government, up 3,000 jobs; Education & Health Services, up 2,800 jobs, and Construction up 2,700 jobs.

Over the year, Minnesota has gained 47,508 jobs, up 1.6%, with the private sector up 23,161 jobs or 0.9%.

Year-to-date nationally, U.S. employment grew 1.9% with the private sector up 1.7%. In March, the national unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8%.

By ethnicity in March, unemployment among Black Minnesotans was  3.3% in March; for Hispanics 4.3%; white Minnesotans, 2.7%, and Asians 1.9%.

A broader measure of unemployment, called the U-6, was 5.4% in March, down from 5.5% in February. This measure factors in people who have voluntarily left the labor force and are no longer looking for work, in addition to part-time workers seeking full time work.

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18 Apr 2024

Carnival doles out more details on new Bahamas destination

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MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Carnival Cruise Line has released another round of updates on what travelers can expect when its new private destination Grand Bahama Celebration Key opens.

Debuting in summer 2025, the port of call will be welcoming ships from Florida ports Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Tampa and Jacksonville as well as six other U.S. ports.

The 369-acre site less than 20 miles east of Freeport will be the first dedicated to Carnival Cruise Line, although Carnival ships have used sister line destinations Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay for years.

The largest port construction project in the line’s history will be carved into five segments the company calls portals, and Carnival released details about the third one tied to retail, an artisan village called Lokono Cove.

Named in deference to the native Lucayan language, “lokono” means “the people.” It was the winning selection from Grand Bahamas resident Deidre Rahming, who was on hand in Miami Beach with an entourage from the Bahamian government on Tuesday at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference.

She received a check for $5,000 from Carnival and a future day pass for the resort, which won’t normally be open to visitors from the island. The line says at least 300 jobs will be generated for locals serving the cruise guests.

Lokono Cove will have kiosks and stores alongside “an authentic Bahamian artisan market” showcasing local craftsmanship, according to Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Beyond the items for sale, the space will have music and murals to enhance the space, and local food.

“Lokono Cove will be a treasure trove – a place for our guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Bahamas and find locally inspired keepsakes, symbols of paradise they can share with loved ones, or cherish for themselves for years to come,” said Duffy said/ “Honoring the beauty and culture of the Bahamas is integral to our plans for Celebration Key, and that will be on display throughout Lokono Cove.”

The space also will be the excursion gateway for visitors to explore Grand Bahama.

It’s the third name drop by Carnival following the reveal of welcome area Paradise Plaza and adult-friendly area Calypso Lagoon. The final two space names and details, which will be a family-friendly area and an adults-only private area, will be revealed later.

The site will also have a south-facing mile-long beachfront expanse and massive freshwater inland lagoon the line says is the largest in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Paradise Plaza is the name of the welcome area coming to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026. (Carnival Cruise Line/TNS)

Paradise Plaza features a rainbow-colored walkway through a sunshine entranceway with a 10-story “Suncastle” as a centerpiece. The welcome area is the place to book the day’s activities including cabanas, water sports and shore excursions. The area will also feature a Bahamian-themed fountain and ice cream shop.

Calypso Cove is the name of an adult-friendly area coming to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026. (Carnival Cruise Line/TNS)

This image shows cabanas within Calypso Cove, an adult-friendly area coming to Carnival’s Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026. (Carnival Cruise Line/TNS)

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Calypso Lagoon falls just to the west, home to the sport court and freshwater lagoon and lounging options galore. It’s home to a bar with 50 swings that let visitors dip their feet into the water, and just one of many bars serving the space and two full-service restaurants and other casual snack shacks. And adults-only area of the portal will feature a swim-up bar with a DJ, food trucks and more lounging options.

Future expansion will build beyond the five portals including the construction of a water park.

The port of call will open with one dock capable of handling its largest ships, the 6,000-passenger Excel class, including Port Canaveral-based Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration out of Miami.

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The line announced this year a $100 million plan to expand that with a second dock so that it could handle up to four such ships beginning in 2026. That expansion, which grows the line’s investment to $600 million so far, means it expects nearly 4 million passengers to visit the site annually by 2028, an average of 11,000 visitors every day. For now, it has more than 500 itineraries planned among 18 ships available to book.

Other U.S. ports visiting the new site are Galveston, Texas; Baltimore; Norfolk, Virginia; Mobile, Alabama, Charleston, S.C. and New Orleans.

“As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we’re already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,” said Duffy when the pier expansion was announced. “Building the second pier now allows us to implement growth plans and build itineraries with certainty, and signals to the local community just how important this development is to Carnival Cruise Line and the future of the island.”

18 Apr 2024

‘Tenemos que hacerlo mejor’: barreras idiomáticas añaden más obstáculos a inmigrantes africanos en refugios

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En los dos últimos años, más de 189.200 inmigrantes han llegado a la ciudad de Nueva York y unos 64.400 están actualmente al amparo de la ciudad; de ellos, aproximadamente el 17 por ciento proceden de países africanos, según la alcaldía.

Gerardo Romo / NYC Council Media Unit

Solicitantes de asilo reunidos afuera de la alcaldía antes de una audiencia conjunta del Comité de Inmigración y Hospitales el 16 de abril de 2024.

Este artículo se publicó originalmente en inglés el 17 de abril. Traducido por Daniel Parra. Read the English version here.

El martes la concejal de Nueva York Alexa Avilés abrió la audiencia sobre las experiencias de los inmigrantes negros pidiendo más financiación y servicios de acceso en otros idiomas para los recién llegados de países africanos, cientos de ellos estaban reunidos en la alcaldía para asistir a la manifestación previa a la audiencia y entrar a esta.

Avilés, presidenta del Comité de Inmigración del Concejo Municipal, dijo que, si bien la ciudad ha estado ofreciendo servicios sociales y de salud a los inmigrantes en español e inglés, no ha logrado satisfacer las necesidades de los inmigrantes que hablan otros idiomas.

“Quienes necesitan información traducida en idiomas predominantemente hablados en los países de África Occidental, como wolof, árabe, bambara, fulani y francés, entre otros, han manifestado dificultades para comunicarse con el personal de los albergues para inmigrantes y obtener información de los organismos municipales”, afirmó ella.

Aunque la gran mayoría de los solicitantes de asilo e inmigrantes que han entrado en el sistema de refugios procedían inicialmente de América Latina, cada vez hay más inmigrantes adultos y familias procedentes del continente africano.

En los dos últimos años, más de 189.200 inmigrantes han llegado a Nueva York y unos 64.400 están actualmente en el sistema de atención de la ciudad; de ellos, aproximadamente el 17 por ciento proceden de países africanos, dijo la alcaldía.

Durante la audiencia conjunta entre el Comité de Inmigración y el de Hospitales —a la que no asistieron funcionarios de Health + Hospitals ni de New York City Emergency Management, dos organismos clave que se ocupan de la respuesta de la ciudad a inmigrantes—, los defensores se quejaron de las barreras idiomáticas y de la falta de acceso a intérpretes en los albergues.

Los defensores también denunciaron la dificultad de certificar a los nuevos inmigrantes en programas de formación en seguridad industrial de la Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (OSHA por sus siglas en inglés) en idiomas como árabe, francés, pulaar y wolof.

Avilés preguntó al comisionado de la Oficina de la Alcaldía para Asuntos del Inmigrante (MOIA por sus siglas en inglés) por esta falta de oportunidades para las personas que no hablan inglés ni español.

“Como sabe, OSHA es un programa federal”, respondió Manuel Castro, comisionado de MOIA, reconociendo que es difícil encontrar capacitadores que hablen otros idiomas. “Esta es también una cuestión que en parte pertenece al gobierno federal. Tienen que mejorar la formación en estos idiomas”.

Según Adama Bah, fundadora de Afrikana, un centro comunitario que atiende a solicitantes de asilo, la ciudad no tiene traductores para algunos de los idiomas que necesita, y la línea telefónica para acceder a un intérprete por teléfono no funciona después del horario laboral, por lo que ha estado traduciendo ella misma.

“Ahora mismo hay mucha gente en esta sala a la que tengo que llamar después del horario laboral para que traduzca para los inmigrantes, y llaman constantemente y dicen a los funcionarios que hablen con Adama”.

Y los documentos escritos no sirven para quienes no saben leer, explicaron los defensores.

“Hay una cantidad significativa de personas que son analfabetas”, explicó Bah. “Hemos estado enviando mensajes de voz a los migrantes explicándoles cuáles son sus derechos y para que entiendan lo que está pasando. Así que no es sólo escrito, necesitamos lenguaje hablado”.

Una profesora de historia oral del LaGuardia Community College que ha trabajado como voluntaria con los recién llegados de África leyó el testimonio de dos de ellos. 

“La vida en el refugio no es vida”, leyó ella, narrando la experiencia de un joven senegalés. “No aconsejaría a nadie vivir en esas condiciones. Si sales a buscar trabajo y te quedas sin comer, tienes que ir a buscar comida. Pero si no encuentras trabajo, ¿cómo vas a comprar comida?”.

El otro testimonio compartido procedía de un migrante de Mauritania que había tenido dificultades para obtener información de los trabajadores de los refugios. “En los albergues te encuentras con personal que prefiere limpiarse las uñas antes que responder a una pregunta”, narró ella. “A veces haces una pregunta y extrañamente recibes muchas respuestas diferentes”.

Durante la audiencia, la presidenta del Concejo, Adrienne Adams, preguntó a los funcionarios de la administración presentes qué conclusiones sacaban del numeroso público y de sus testimonios.

“Que tenemos que hacerlo mejor, y estamos de acuerdo en que tenemos que hacerlo cada día mejor”, reconoció Molly Schaeffer, directora interina de la Oficina de Operaciones de Solicitantes de Asilo (OASO por sus siglas en inglés). “Específicamente con el acceso a otros idiomas. Creo que eso fue lo más importante que escuchamos”. 

Schaeffer explicó que alrededor del 81 por ciento de los inmigrantes procedentes de países africanos son adultos solteros o forman parte de familias adultas, por lo que es más probable que tengan estancias más cortas que las familias con niños procedentes de América Latina. Según la política de plazos del alcalde Eric Adams para los inmigrantes recién llegados, las familias con niños están sujetas a límites de acogida de 60 días, mientras que los adultos sin niños sólo disponen de 30 días.

Los solicitantes de asilo procedentes de países africanos han representado el 16 por ciento de las solicitudes presentadas en el Centro de navegación de recursos para solicitantes de asilo, añadió Schaeffer.

Explicó que el principal idioma preferido de los inmigrantes atendidos por la ciudad —aunque no refleja necesariamente el de la mayoría de quienes acaban de llegar— es el español, con un 76 por ciento, seguido del francés (9 por ciento), inglés (3 por ciento), ruso (2 por ciento), árabe (2 por ciento), fulani y el chino (1 por ciento cada uno).

El tiempo de espera para un nuevo refugio es de 24 horas, dijo Schaeffer, aunque no dio detalles sobre la duración actual de la lista de espera, y la alcaldía no respondió a las preguntas al respecto antes de la publicación.

El joven senegalés cuyo testimonio compartió la profesora del LaGuardia Community College también se refirió al impacto de la política de plazos de acogida de la ciudad, que varios legisladores han presionado para que se elimine.

“Te echan a la calle en mitad de la noche y con frío”, dijo, según la declaración compartida. “Simplemente no nos respetan”.

Para ponerse en contacto con el reportero de esta noticia, escriba a Daniel@citylimits.org. Para ponerse en contacto con la editora, escriba a Jeanmarie@citylimits.org

18 Apr 2024

City-country mortality gap widens amid persistent holes in rural health care access

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Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez | (TNS) KFF Health News

In Matthew Roach’s two years as vital statistics manager for the Arizona Department of Health Services, and 10 years previously in its epidemiology program, he has witnessed a trend in mortality rates that has rural health experts worried.

As Roach tracked the health of Arizona residents, the gap between mortality rates of people living in rural areas and those of their urban peers was widening.

The health disparities between rural and urban Americans have long been documented, but a recent report from the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service found the chasm has grown in recent decades. In their examination, USDA researchers found rural Americans from the ages of 25 to 54 die from natural causes, like chronic diseases and cancer, at wildly higher rates than the same age group living in urban areas. The analysis did not include external causes of death, such as suicide or accidental overdose.

The research analyzed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention death data from two three-year periods — 1999 through 2001 and 2017 through 2019. In 1999, the natural-cause mortality rate for people ages 25 to 54 in rural areas was only 6% higher than for city dwellers in the same age bracket. By 2019, the gap widened to 43%.

The researchers found the expanding gap was driven by rapid growth in the number of women living in rural places who succumb young to treatable or preventable diseases. In the most rural places, counties without an urban core population of 10,000 or more, women in this age group saw an 18% increase in natural-cause mortality rates during the study period, while their male peers experienced a 3% increase.

Within the prime working-age group, cancer and heart disease were the leading natural causes of death for both men and women in both rural and urban areas. Among women, the incidence of lung disease in remote parts of the nation grew the most when compared with rates in urban areas, followed by hepatitis. Pregnancy-related deaths also played a role, accounting for the highest rate of natural-cause mortality growth for women ages 25 to 54 in rural areas.

The negative trends for rural non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people were especially pronounced. The analysis shows Native Americans 25 to 54 years old had a 46% natural-cause mortality rate increase over those two decades. Native women had an even greater mortality rate jump, 55%, between the two studied time periods, while the rate for non-Hispanic White women went up 23%.

The rural-urban gap grew in all regions across the nation but was widest in the South.

The increased mortality rates are an indicator of worsening population health, the study authors noted, which can harm local economies and employment.

As access to and quality of health services in rural areas continue to erode, rural health experts said, the USDA findings should spur stronger policies focused on rural health.

Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, said he found the report “shocking,” though, “unfortunately, not surprising.”

The disparity warrants greater attention from state and national leaders, Morgan said.

The study does not address causes for the increase in mortality rates, but the authors note that differences in health care resources could compromise the accessibility, quality, and affordability of care in rural areas. Hospitals in small and remote communities have long struggled, and continued closures or conversions limit health care services in many places. The authors note that persistently higher rates of poverty, disability, and chronic disease in rural areas, compounded by fewer physicians per capita and the closure of hospitals, affect community health.

Roach said his past job as an epidemiologist included working with social vulnerability indexes, which factor in income, race, education, and access to resources like housing to get a sense of a community’s resilience against adverse health outcomes. A map of Arizona shows that rural counties and reservations have some of the highest vulnerability rankings.

Janice C. Probst, a retired professor at the University of South Carolina whose work focused on rural health, said many current rural health efforts are focused on sustaining hospitals, which she noted are essential sources of health care. But she said that may not be the best way to address the inequities.

“We may have to take a community approach,” said Probst, who reviewed the report before its release. “Not how do we keep the hospital in the community, but how do we keep the community alive at all?”

The disparities among demographics stood out to Probst, along with something else. She said the states with the highest rates of natural-cause mortality in rural areas included South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and others that have not expanded Medicaid, the joint federal and state health insurance program for low-income people, though there are efforts to expand it in some states, particularly Mississippi.

It’s an observation the USDA researchers make as well.

“Regionally, differences in State implementation of Medicaid expansion under the 2010 Affordable Care Act could have increased implications for uninsured rural residents in States without expansions by potentially influencing the frequency of medical care for those at risk,” they wrote.

Wesley James, founding executive director of the Center for Community Research and Evaluation, at the University of Memphis, said state lawmakers could address part of the problem by advocating for Medicaid expansion in their states, which would increase access to health care in rural areas. A large group of people want it, but politicians aren’t listening to their needs, he said. James also reviewed the report before it was published.

According to KFF polling, two-thirds of people living in nonexpansion states want their state to expand the health insurance program.

Morgan added the study focused on deaths that occurred prior to the covid-19 pandemic, which had a devastating effect in rural areas.

“Covid really changed the nature of public health in rural America,” he said. “I hope that this prompts Congress to direct the CDC to look at rural-urban life expectancies during covid and since covid to get a handle on what we’re actually seeing nationwide.”

In Arizona, the leading cause of death for people 45 to 64 in 2021 in both rural and urban areas was covid, according to Roach.

___

(KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.)

©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.