http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/extended-05.html

Examines the so-called living standards of U.S. households in order to track quality of life items over time using a variety demographic characteristics. Covers consumer durable and electronic goods, housing conditions, neighborhood safety, community services, and satisfaction with schools. From the Census Bureau.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db24.pdf

Reports that the U.S. late preterm birth rate rose 20% from 1990 to 2006. Examines the phenomenon of late term births, characteristics of mothers and infants, and health consequences. From the National Center for Health Statistics.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5844a2.htm

Reports that the proportion of U.S. adults who were current cigarette smokers declined 3.5% from 24.1% to 20.6% from 1998 to 2008, but the proportion did not change significantly from 2007 to 2008. Also covers characteristics of smokers. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://www.deq.virginia.gov/export/sites/default/recycle/documents/AnnualReport-RRR2008Final.pdf

Reports that Virginia's 2008 recycling rate of 38.5% exceeds the national goal of 35% and the 2007 national rate of 33.4%. The report provides an overview of the materials recycled, the amount of waste disposed, and the recycling rate for each solid waste planning region in 2008. From the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014415.html

Press release which provides links to data tables with state and county estimates for the total number of people in poverty, the number of children under five in poverty, the number of children under 18 in poverty and the median household income. Data on children under five in poverty is state level only. From the Census Bureau.

http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide/pdfs/20091116SO2NPR.pdf

Proposes to strengthen the air quality standards for sulfur dioxide to a level between 50 and 100 parts per billion measured over 1 hour. The existing standards for sulfur dioxide are 140 parts per billion measured over 1 hour and 30 parts per billion measured over an entire year. Estimates that revised standard would yield health benefits valued between $16 billion and $100 billion. Public comments will be accepted for 60 days and a final rule is expected by June 2010. From the Environmental Protection Agency.

http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/fatal_occupational_injuries_military.htm

Reports that members of the military residing in the U.S. are more likely to be fatally injured than workers in general, and that transportation incidents account for the highest number of resident military fatalities. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/motveh.pdf

Reports that the value of quality changes in 2010 model passenger cars averaged $250 which represents 31% of the average $812 increase in manufacturers' invoice prices for the models compared with last year's models. The quality changes represented 38% of the average $714 increase in suggested list prices. Press release also covers light trucks. From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2010165

Reports that average salaries for all colleges and universities were $101,658 for professors, $73,246 for associate professors, $61,479 for assistant professors, and $53,000 for instructors and lecturers. Also reports that faculty at private 4-year institutions earned more than their counterparts at public 4-year schools but that staffs at private institutions earned less. From the National Center for Education Statistics.

http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v10i1.pdf

Reports that an estimated 3,800 university housing fires occur each year in dormitories and Greek houses. They averaged 5 deaths per year and damages of $26 million to university property. From the U.S. Fire Administration.

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR83/

Reports that 15% of American households did not have adequate access to food during the past year and 5.7% had very low food security. Low food security means that eating patterns were interrupted or some members of the household did not have enough food to eat because of lack of money. Also discusses use of federal food and nutrition programs by needy households. From the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.