| CollegeHighway.com Login |
| Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name. |
| Trippin? |
 |
| Check Yourself |
 |
| Ephemerids |
One Day like Today...
|
| Welcome |
| You are Anonymous user. You can register for free by clicking here. |
 |
|
| Introduction | | Introduction You just clicked into the coolest place to get all your college news and information about college life. Looking to join the CollegeHighway crew? Click here. | |
| |
| Residential Valuation Manager |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
At associated bank we strive to create an inclusive culture where different perspectives are valued and recognized as strengths critical to our success. If you thrive in an environment where your growth and development are encouraged and supported, then associated bank may be the right place for you.
associated bank requires you to directly represent yourself and your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process. Associated bank conducts a thorough background check on all new hires.
at
associated bank, the residential valuation services manager ensures all residential 1–4 family real estate loan transactions meet federal regulations and internal lending policies. This leader oversees valuation ordering, review quality, and vendor performance while guiding a high-performing team. The role offers the opportunity to shape valuation strategy, strengthen compliance practices, and develop talent across the organization.
key accountabilities
lead residential valuation operations to ensure compliance with uspap, federal regulations, and bank lending policies.
oversee senior review staff and valuation leadership, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and development.
manage third-party appraisal vendors to ensure quality, timeliness, independence, and service standards.
partner with credit administration, lines of business, compliance, internal audit, and regulators to address valuation policy questions and documentation requests.
ensure audit readiness by providing complete, accurate documentation to internal auditors and occ examiners.
drive quality control efforts and assist with appraisal ordering and review during peak volumes.
develop clear goals, foster accountability, and cultivate a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
education & experience
required
bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, engineering, real estate, or equivalent combination of education and experience
10+ years of experience in appraisal, valuation review, finance, and/or real estate
certified general appraiser or certified residential state appraisal license (within bank footprint) by start date
candidate of a recognized professional appraisal organization (e.G., Sra, asa, ai-rrs)
strong knowledge of uspap and federal appraisal regulations
preferred
master’s degree in finance, accounting, engineering, real estate, or related field
12+ years of experience in residential appraisal, valuation review, and/or valuation team leadership
member of a recognized professional appraisal organization (e.G., Sra, asa, ai-rrs)
why you’ll love working here
you’ll join a collaborative, values-driven organization where your expertise directly impacts lending quality and regulatory excellence. We invest in leadership development, professional growth, and building strong teams that make a difference. Bring your experience, lead with purpose, and help shape the future of residential valuation services.
apply today to make an impact.
we welcome and encourage applications from all qualified parties, including but not limited to people returning to the workforce, people with disabilities, those without a college degree, and veterans or those with military experience.
in addition to core traditional benefits, we take pride in offering benefits for every stage of life.
retirement savings including both 401(k) and pension plans.
paid time off to volunteer in your community.
opportunities to connect with others through our diversity-focused colleague resource groups.
competitive salaries with professional development and advancement opportunities.
bonus benefits including well-being programs and incentives, parental leave, an employee stock purchase plan, military benefits and much more.
personal banking, loan, investment and insurance benefits.
associated bank serves more than 120 communities throughout wisconsin, illinois, minnesota, and missouri and we consider our colleagues critical to our continued success. See why our colleagues continually vote us a best place to work in the midwest. Join our community on facebook, linkedin and x.
compliance statement
associated bank is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We support a work environment where colleagues are respected and given the opportunity to perform to their fullest potential. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors.
fully complies with all applicable enterprise policies and procedures. Acts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in training materials, including but not limited to bank secrecy act. Responsible for reporting suspicious activity to financial intelligence. Responsible to report all customer complaints as prescribed and procedure violations to management or hr.
responsible to report ethical concerns as needed to associated bank’s anonymous ethics hotline.
associated bank provides additional assistance throughout the application, interview and hiring process. Please contact leavesandaccommodations@associatedbank.Com if you need an accommodation at any time during the process.
associated banc-corp participates in the e-verify program. E-verify notice english or spanish. Know your right to work english or spanish.
associated bank is pay transparency compliant.
the pay range represents anticipated base pay for this role. Actual pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, work location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role.
$96,950.00 - $166,200.00 per year |
( Read More... | 11346 bytes more | comments? |   ) |
| |
| Budgeting To Win |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Budgeting to win
aisha braveboy’s budget plan confronts deficit while investing in prince george’s future
in times of fiscal strain, leadership often reveals itself through resolve. For prince george’s county executive aisha braveboy, the unveiling of the county’s fiscal year 2027 proposed budget represents not only a financial blueprint but also a declaration of purpose: confront the county’s deficit head-on while continuing to invest in the people, neighborhoods, and opportunities that define prince george’s county.
standing before county leaders and community stakeholders in largo, braveboy framed the proposed budget as both pragmatic and aspirational—a disciplined plan designed to stabilize the county’s finances while building a stronger foundation for education, public safety, small businesses, and housing affordability.
at the center of the plan is a clear objective: addressing the structural budget deficit that had loomed over the county’s finances in recent years.
“i am incredibly humbled and grateful to the people of prince george’s county for their trust in my stewardship, their input during the three budget listening sessions, and most importantly their partnership,” braveboy said. “By aligning investments with the county’s strategic priorities, we ensure that every dollar contributes to building a stronger and fiscally disciplined prince george’s county.”
her words capture the dual spirit of the proposal—discipline paired with determination. For braveboy, confronting the county’s fiscal challenges has required both the fighting spirit that has long defined her career and the collaborative leadership she says modern government demands.
a deficit confronted
the fy2027 proposal arrives after years of fiscal pressure, including a structural deficit estimated at roughly $170 million. Rather than retreating from investments in essential services, braveboy’s administration has attempted to recalibrate spending while protecting the programs residents rely upon.
the proposed budget focuses on three core principles: maintaining essential services, preserving fiscal discipline, and targeting investments that generate measurable long-term impact for residents.
that balancing act—between restraint and progress—has become a defining challenge for the administration.
county leaders say the effort reflects an ongoing partnership between the executive branch and the legislative body responsible for approving the final budget.
county council chair krystal oriadha acknowledged the progress already made in reducing the deficit while emphasizing the council’s responsibility to closely examine the plan.
“i’m encouraged to see early fiscal progress, including a reduction in our deficit, and i look forward to digging into the details in the weeks ahead,” oriadha said. “I am confident that the strong working relationship between the council and the county executive will ensure the fy27 budget is forward-looking and keeps the needs of prince george’s county residents at its center.”
that cooperative tone reflects a shared understanding among county leaders: fiscal recovery cannot come at the expense of the community’s long-term development.
investing in education and opportunity
education remains one of the most prominent priorities in the proposed budget, reflecting the administration’s belief that strong schools are inseparable from strong economic development.
the fy2027 plan increases funding for prince georges county public schools by $20.8 million, bringing the total allocation to approximately $2.97 billion.
that investment includes nearly $969 million in county funding tied to the state’s education reform framework, along with $144 million in support for prince georges community college to strengthen workforce development programs.
the proposal also allocates:
$1 million for the summer youth enrichment program, providing employment opportunities for young residents
$42 million to continue the alternative construction financing program, accelerating the development of eight new schools
$20 million to enhance special education and strengthen reading and math programs
the administration points to early indicators that these investments are already producing results. According to county leaders, prince george’s schools now rank first in maryland in reducing teacher vacancies—an outcome officials attribute to competitive compensation and improved recruitment strategies.
for braveboy, the message is simple: education is both a moral commitment and an economic strategy.
strengthening safety across the county
another cornerstone of the budget is public safety, an issue that remains top of mind for many residents.
the proposed plan includes $453.5 million for the county police department, funding that will support the hiring of 150 new recruits, expanded community policing initiatives, and investments in body-worn cameras and public-safety technology.
additional funding allocations include:
$325.9 million for fire and ems services, including 100 new recruits
$106.2 million for the department of corrections
$70.5 million for the sheriff’s office
$58.3 million for homeland security and emergency preparedness
these investments come as county officials report encouraging trends in crime reduction. Homicide rates in prince george’s county declined by more than 48 percent in 2025, according to county data.
the administration also highlights a milestone in law-enforcement recruitment: the most recent police academy class was the largest in more than a decade, and nearly 60 percent of recruits came from within the county itself.
for braveboy, those numbers represent more than statistics—they represent a renewed sense of community trust.
supporting small business and economic growth
economic development also plays a prominent role in the fy2027 proposal. Investments in infrastructure, permitting systems, and transportation are designed to strengthen the county’s business climate while supporting new industries and entrepreneurs.
the plan includes $139.9 million in high-performance government initiatives, including upgrades to the county’s permitting and licensing systems—improvements intended to streamline processes for businesses and homeowners.
the budget also includes funding for transit-oriented development infrastructure and multimodal transportation projects designed to improve accessibility and attract investment.
for the business community, the proposal signals a commitment to long-term economic stability.
alexander k. Austin, president and ceo of the prince georges chamber of commerce, welcomed the approach.
“with this budget and its focus on fiscal stewardship, prince george’s county executive aisha braveboy delivers a positive vantage point for the county,” austin said. “The prince george’s chamber of commerce looks forward to what it will mean for our members and for the county’s continued progress.”
for many business leaders, that progress includes expanding opportunities for small businesses and encouraging investment that keeps jobs and innovation within the county.
housing, health, and community stability
even amid fiscal constraints, the budget continues to prioritize housing stability and health services for vulnerable residents.
the proposal dedicates $21.2 million to the housing investment trust fund, a key mechanism for preserving affordable housing and supporting community development.
meanwhile, $55.5 million is allocated to health and human services programs, including funding for mental-health and addiction treatment initiatives and transitional housing programs.
other initiatives include:
a $1 million utility assistance program for seniors
expanded behavioral health services
a new program focused on early detection of autism and intellectual disabilities
these investments reflect the administration’s broader philosophy: fiscal responsibility must coexist with compassion.
the fighting spirit of leadership
for those who have followed braveboy’s career—from state legislator to state’s attorney and now county executive—the tone of the fy2027 proposal reflects a familiar trait: determination in the face of challenge.
friends and colleagues often describe her leadership style as relentless yet collaborative—a combination of toughness and coalition-building.
that approach is evident in the way the administration has framed the county’s fiscal challenges. Rather than portraying the deficit as a crisis alone, braveboy has cast it as an opportunity to modernize government operations and prioritize investments that deliver measurable results.
the budget proposal, she argues, reflects the values of a community determined to move forward together.
“our administration’s vision is clear: a future where residents benefit from a government that is forward-thinking, responsive, innovative and accountable, delivering exceptional public service and strategic investments that strengthen our communities,” braveboy said.
a path forward
as the county council begins its review process, the fy2027 proposal will undergo weeks of scrutiny, revisions, and debate. That process is a normal—and necessary—part of governing.
but regardless of the final numbers that emerge from the legislative process, the proposal already sends a broader message: prince george’s county intends to face its financial challenges directly while continuing to invest in the future.
for braveboy, that future is defined by resilient schools, safe neighborhoods, thriving businesses, and housing opportunities for families across the county.
in short, it is a vision shaped not by retreat, but by resolve—the same fighting spirit that has become the hallmark of her leadership. |
| ( Read More... | 19642 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| Medication literacy among community-dwelling older adults in Shenzhen: a 2024 cr |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (1 reads) | |
|
|
Abstract
objective:
to provide a scientific basis for policymakers and healthcare providers in developing targeted interventions, we investigated the level of medication literacy and its contributing factors among the older population in shenzhen.
methods:
a cross-sectional study was conducted between august and october 2024, involving 1,198 participants aged 60 years or older from 10 administrative districts in shenzhen, using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The survey instrument comprised 20 items, grouped into three dimensions: functional literacy, communication literacy, and critical literacy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression with prespecified covariates to explore the status of medication literacy and its associated factors among older adults in shenzhen communities.
results:
a total of 1,005 valid questionnaires were collected. The average scores for functional literacy, communication literacy, and critical literacy of older adults in shenzhen were 1.44 ± 0.37, 1.20 ± 0.35, and 0.85 ± 0.26, respectively. The overall average score was 69.71 ± 16.57. Low medication literacy was the most prevalent (n = 407, 40.50%), followed by medium (n = 366, 36.42%) and high literacy (n = 232, 23.08%). Significant factors associated with medication literacy among older adults included educational level, type of medical insurance, disease duration, frequency of hospitalizations in the past year, adr history, and the situation of contacting medical staff. All of these factors were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
conclusion:
the medication literacy of older adults in shenzhen requires more attention, targeted education is warranted for subgroups with low education, no medical insurance, short disease duration, three or more hospitalizations in the past year, low awareness of adrs, and less contact with medical staff.
1 introduction
as is well known, drugs are important means for treating diseases and improving health. With the high incidence of chronic diseases (1) and the prevalence of polypharmacy (2), rational use of drugs has become particularly important. However, insufficient medication literacy remains a global problem that not only affects drug efficacy but also poses a threat to medication safety (3, 4). Medication literacy refers to the ability of individuals to obtain, understand, communicate, calculate, and process relevant specific drug information, make rational drug and health decisions, and use drugs safely and effectively (5). Medication literacy reflects not only patients’ medication compliance but also their ability to use drugs safely, and it thus has a significant impact on ensuring their safe and effective use of drugs (6). Elizabeth et al. Showed that obtaining adequate health literacy can help individuals to correctly understand information about their health conditions and the drugs needed for treatment, which is essential to maintain medication adherence (7). Investigations into medication literacy and self-management among inpatients taking multiple drugs have revealed that medication literacy serves as an important predictor of medication self-management. Higher levels of medication literacy are associated with improved self-management skills and better medication adherence in patients (8). In addition, studies have shown that improving medication literacy can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce readmission rates and medical costs (9). Therefore, enhancing public medication literacy is a critical factor in improving overall health outcomes and healthcare quality. China is becoming a rapidly aging society (10), and the older adults are the population with the highest proportion of chronic diseases and greatest challenges with drug use (11). Yet, a research gap currently remains regarding the assessment data and influencing factors of medication literacy among the older adults across shenzhen, this study aims to estimate medication-literacy levels and identify independent sociodemographic and care-access predictors among shenzhen elders.
2 methods
2.1 participants
this study was approved by the ethics review committee of the first affiliated hospital/the first clinical medicine school of guangdong pharmaceutical university (the ethics approval number was 2024iit98). Before distributing the questionnaires, a detailed introduction was provided to the participants about the purpose and content of the study. Based on the principles of voluntary and anonymous participation, the participants were informed at the beginning of the questionnaire that they had the right to withdraw at any time during the questionnaire filling process, and that this would not harm their related interests. A multi-stage, stratified, random sampling method was used to conduct a cross-sectional survey from august to october, 2024. All 10 administrative districts of shenzhen were included in the sampling range. Based on consideration of the seventh population census data of shenzhen and the target sample size, the sample size for each administrative district was determined based on the proportion of the older population in that district to the total older population of the entire city of shenzhen. Three to four sample communities were then randomly selected using systematic sampling method from each administrative district, and within each selected community, a specified number of older adult individuals are drawn from the roster of all older adults in that community to participate in the survey using simple random sampling by members of the research team and social workers who had been uniformly trained in each sample community. The questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews with the participants. The inclusion criteria for the participants were defined as follows: (1) permanently residing in shenzhen for more than 6 months; (2) age ?60 years; (3) voluntary participation in the questionnaire survey. The exclusion criterion was a hearing, vision, cognitive, or other impairment that prevented cooperation in the investigation.
2.2 sample size calculation
the sample size was calculated according to the following cross-sectional survey sample size calculation formula:
taking a two-sided ? Value of 0.05 and , referring to the 29.70% health literacy rate of chinese residents in 2023, the p-value in this study was 0.297, and the d-tolerance error was set at 0.03. The minimum sample size required for this study was 892, and considering an invalid rate of 10%, the target sample size was at least 981. Therefore, a total of 1,198 questionnaires were distributed, after excluding the incomplete questionnaires with missing values?15% and invalid questionnaires (answers showing obvious regularity), 1,005 valid questionnaires were finally included in this study, with an effective recovery rate of 83.89%. The participant-flow figure was as follow (figure 1).
figure 1
2.3 survey instrument
2.3.1 questionnaire design
the survey consisted of two parts: an impact factor questionnaire and a medication literacy scale. The impact factor questionnaire gathered information on participants’ demographic characteristics, including district, gender, age, education level, marital status, living status, and disease-related information. Ased on the concept of medication literacy proposed by neiva (12) and referring to mature assessment tools at home and abroad, the initial index system item pool of medication literacy scale was constructed. After two rounds of delphi expert consultation and pre-survey items screening, the revised medication literacy scale for older adults was developed with three dimensions: functional literacy, communication literacy, and critical literacy. The scale consisted of 20 items in total: 13 items measured functional literacy, 4 items assessed communication literacy, and 3 items evaluated critical literacy. The weights of each primary and secondary indicators were obtained also through the delphi expert consultation method (table 1).
table 1
| primary indicators (weights) | secondary indicators (weights) |
|---|---|
| functional literacy (0.392) | gn1 i can understand the contents such as the medication instructions and labels. (0.0343) |
| gn2 i understand that storing medicines in accordance with the requirements of the drug instructions can prevent them from deteriorating and losing efficacy. (0.0317) | |
| gn3 i can follow the instructions on the label or the drug instructions to take the correct dosage (such as the number of pills, drops, volume, etc.) (0.0343) | |
| gn4 i can distinguish between prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs that i use. (0.0211) | |
| gn5 i know the correct method of using each medication i take (such as the proper time to take the medication and the interval between doses). (0.0338) | |
| gn6 i am clear about the therapeutic purpose of each medication i use. (0.0298) | |
| gn7 i can name every medication i use. (0.0258) | |
| gn8 i am clear about the main side effects of my commonly used medications (such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, etc.) (0.0280) | |
| gn9 i know what dietary restrictions are needed during medication use (0.0269) | |
| gn10 i can clearly read the text on the drug instructions and the medication administration labels. (0.0349) | |
| gn11 i can obtain drug information through various channels (such as drug instructions, medication administration labels, television, promotional brochures, lectures, the internet, etc.) (0.0282) | |
| gn12 i am able to correctly understand drug information with the help of external parties such as medical personnel, relatives, and friends. (0.0294) | |
| gn13 i can clearly inform the doctor about my medication situation (such as drug names, dosage, time, etc.) (0.0338) | |
| communication literacy (0.350) | jl1 when i feel that my symptoms have changed, i will promptly consult a doctor to determine if medication adjustment is necessary. (0.0929) |
| jl2 if i do not understand the medical staff’s explanation of the medication, i will keep asking questions until i get a clear understanding. (0.0866) | |
| jl3 if i have stopped taking medication or changed the dosage, or am considering doing so, i will inform my doctor or family members in a timely manner. (0.0858) | |
| jl4 when i want to know more information about the drug i’m concerned about, i will consult medical staff. (0.0848) | |
| critical literacy (0.258) | pp1 i would question the authenticity and reliability of drug information seen on television, advertisements, social media (such as wechat, douyin, etc.). (0.0819) |
| pp2 i will monitor my own health status (such as blood pressure, blood glucose levels, etc.) To assess the effectiveness of medication. (0.0902) | |
| pp3 before taking medication, i will check the drug’s expiration date and appearance quality to determine if it is suitable for use. (0.0858) |
medication literacy assessment index system (including weights).
statistical analysis showed that the overall cronbach’s ? Coefficient of the revised medication literacy scale was 0.951, and the split-half coefficient was 0.964, both of which were higher than 0.900, indicating that the index system was very reliable. Results of the exploratory factor analysis (efa) showed that kmo value was 0.956, bartlett ?2 = 7397.127 (p = 0.0000). Confirmatory factor analysis (cfa) showed that cmin/df = 3.721 (<5.000), rmsea = 0.074 (<0.080), ifi = 0.940 (>0.900), cfi = 0.940 (>0.900), nfi = 0.920 (>0.900), tli = 0.930 (>0.900), indicating that the questionnaire model had good fit validity. The factor loadings of each item for the three dimensions ranged from 0.666 to 0.874, and the ave values of each dimension ranged from 0.560 to 0.655, both of which were greater than 0.500; the composite reliability (cr) values ranged from 0.790 to 0.952, all greater than 0.700, indicating that the scale had good convergent validity.
2.3.2 questionnaire scoring
the questionnaire items were scored using a 5-point likert scale. The items for the functional literacy dimension replaced “not at all” “rarely” “generally” “mostly” and “completely” with a numerical value ranging from 1 to 5, respectively, and the degree increased in turn. The items for the dimensions of communication literacy and critical literacy were replaced by the numbers 1 through 5, representing “never” “occasionally” “sometimes” “often” and “always” respectively, with the frequency increasing sequentially. The total score of the questionnaire ranged from 20 to 100, with higher scores representing higher levels of medication literacy.
the calculation formula for the comprehensive medication literacy score was as follows:
s represented the comprehensive evaluation score of the respondents’ medication literacy, represented the average score given by the 1,005 respondents for the i-th secondary indicator, and xi represented the weight value of the i-th secondary indicator (table 1). This result s was a score converted to a hundred-point scale.
the calculation formula for the mean scores of the functional literacy dimension, communication literacy dimension, critical literacy dimension were as follows:
s1 represented the average score of the functional literacy dimension of the survey subjects, gni represented the score given by the survey subjects for the i-th secondary indicator, xi represented the weight value of the i-th secondary indicator.
s2 represented the average score of the communication literacy dimension of the survey subjects, jli represented the score given by the survey subjects for the i-th secondary indicator, xi represented the weight value of the i-th secondary indicator.
s3 represented the average score of the critical literacy dimension of the survey subjects, ppi represented the score given by the survey subjects for the i-th secondary indicator, xi represented the weight value of the i-th secondary indicator.
2.4 quality control
prior to the survey administration, the research team members participated in a unified training session to familiarize themselves with the content of the questionnaire, and participants were informed about the purpose of the study and were assured of its anonymous and voluntary nature. The investigators then ensured that the questionnaires were completed by the participants independently. For any participants who experienced difficulties reading any items on the questionnaire, the investigators explained the items with a neutral attitude to ensure that the participants could understand the questions and answer them independently. All questionnaires were collected by the investigators at the survey site. If the investigators saw any unanswered questions, they asked the participants to complete them at the site. Questionnaires with missing values equal to or exceeding 15% and those failing to meet the inclusion criteria were excluded from the analysis. For questionnaires with missing values that were retained, the missing values were handled using multiple imputation methods.
2.5 statistical analyses
two investigators used epidata 3.1 and excel software to proofread and summarize the questionnaire data before using spss 26.0 to conduct statistical analysis. The frequency and constituent ratio (%) were calculated to use descriptive statistics to describe the overall situation of the sample. A univariate chi-square test was performed with the basic information of the sample as the independent variable and medication literacy as the dependent variable to analyze the relationship between the groups of demographic characteristics. The factors with statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the univariate analysis were included in the multiple linear regression analysis. Taking the medication literacy score as the dependent variable, the factors affecting the medication literacy of older adults were analyzed, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
3 results
3.1 demographic characteristics
of the 1,198 questionnaires distributed, 1,005 valid questionnaires were returned, with an effective recovery rate of 83.89%. Of the 10 administrative districts covered in shenzhen, longgang district accounted for the largest proportion of responses, representing 23.78%. It was followed by baoan district at 22.89% and nanshan district and futian district at 14.83 and 10.45%, respectively. The proportion of males and females was relatively uniform, with males accounting for 48.16% and females for 51.84%. The average age of the sample was 67.26 ± 6.04 years. The education level of the participants was generally low, with 61.60% having a junior high school education or below. Most (86.37%) participants were married, and most (85.67%) did not live alone. Table 2 showed the participants’ demographic and clinical characteristics.
table 2
| variable | group | n | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| administrative district | baoan | 230 | 22.89 |
| dapeng new area | 26 | 2.59 | |
| futian | 105 | 10.45 | |
| guangming | 48 | 4.78 | |
| longgang | 239 | 23.78 | |
| longhua | 90 | 8.96 | |
| luohu | 71 | 7.06 | |
| nanshan | 149 | 14.83 | |
| pingshan | 23 | 2.29 | |
| yantian | 24 | 2.39 | |
| gender | male | 484 | 48.16 |
| female | 521 | 51.84 | |
| age (years) | 60–69 | 695 | 69.15 |
| 70–79 | 255 | 25.37 | |
| 80–89 | 55 | 5.47 | |
| education | little or no literacy | 82 | 8.16 |
| primary school | 211 | 21.00 | |
| junior high school | 326 | 32.44 | |
| high school/secondary school/technical high school | 260 | 25.87 | |
| junior college | 83 | 8.26 | |
| bachelor’s degree | 40 | 3.98 | |
| master’s degree or above | 3 | 0.30 | |
| marital status | unmarried | 7 | 0.70 |
| married | 868 | 86.37 | |
| divorced | 28 | 2.79 | |
| widowed | 102 | 10.15 | |
| living alone | yes | 144 | 14.33 |
| no | 861 | 85.67 | |
| monthly personal income (yuan) | ?1,000 | 243 | 24.18 |
| 1,001–3,000 | 322 | 32.04 | |
| 3,001–5,000 | 303 | 30.15 | |
| >5,000 | 137 | 13.63 | |
| medical insurance | none | 200 | 19.90 |
| employee basic insurance | 371 | 36.92 | |
| resident basic medical insurance | 357 | 35.52 | |
| other | 77 | 7.66 | |
| number of comorbidities | 0 | 379 | 37.71 |
| 1 | 374 | 37.21 | |
| 2 | 190 | 18.91 | |
| ?3 | 62 | 6.17 | |
| disease duration (years) | 0 | 395 | 39.30 |
| 1–5 | 332 | 33.03 | |
| 6–10 | 164 | 16.32 | |
| >10 | 114 | 11.34 | |
| medications taken per day | 0 | 393 | 39.10 |
| 1 | 262 | 26.07 | |
| 2 | 211 | 21.00 | |
| ?3 | 139 | 13.83 | |
| frequency of hospitalizations in past year | 0 | 719 | 71.54 |
| 1 | 228 | 22.69 | |
| 2 | 48 | 4.78 | |
| ?3 | 10 | 1.00 | |
| adverse drug reaction history | yes | 116 | 11.54 |
| no | 664 | 66.07 | |
| uncertain | 225 | 22.39 | |
| the situation of contacting medical staff | yes, regularly | 173 | 17.21 |
| yes, not regularly | 328 | 32.64 | |
| no | 504 | 50.15 |
participant demographic and clinical characteristics (n = 1,005).
3.2 grading of medication literacy score
referring to the chinese health literacy evaluation standards, a score of 80% or above on the questionnaire indicates that community residents possess medication literacy (13). Furthermore, referring to the who’s categorization of health literacy levels which was based on the research of sørensen et al. (14), medication literacy could be stratified into three levels: ‘low’ (?66%), ‘medium’ (>66–84%), and ‘high’ (>84%). The specific score ranges for each interval were shown in table 3.
table 3
| level | score proportion interval range | score range |
|---|---|---|
| low literacy | ?66% | 20.00 ? S ? 66.00 |
| medium literacy | >66–84% | 66.00 < s ? 84.00 |
| high literacy | >84% | 84.00 < s ? 100.00 |
grading of medication literacy levels.
3.3 level of medication literacy in each administrative district
taking administrative districts as subgroups, the medication literacy scores (including weight) of older adults were statistically analyzed and classified according to the evaluation criteria. The results showed that the mean medication literacy score of the participants in this study was at a medium level. Older adults in nanshan district had the highest average score at 71.29 ± 14.87, while those in yantian district had the lowest score at 67.91 ± 15.19.
functional literacy was defined as possessing sufficient reading and writing skills to function effectively in the process of daily medication use. In the dimension of functional literacy, the scores of dapeng new area and nanshan district were the highest at 1.47 ± 0.30 and 1.47 ± 0.33, respectively, while the lowest score was 1.41 ± 0.35 in yantian district. The communication literacy dimension assessed whether the participants could seek information about drugs from different sources, actively interact with medical staff, and apply new information in the daily medication decision-making process. The scores for nanshan district were the highest at 1.23 ± 0.32, while the scores of yantian district were the lowest at 1.17 ± 0.32. In the dimension of critical literacy, which measured the ability to correctly and critically analyze drug information and exert control in the process of medication management. The scores of nanshan district and dapeng new district were the highest, at 0.87 ± 0.25 and 0.87 ± 0.23, respectively, while the lowest score was 0.82 ± 0.25 in yantian district. These results indicated that critical thinking in the daily drug management of the older adults in yantian district needed to be strengthened. Table 4 showed the dimension and total medication literacy scores for each district.
table 4
| district | dimension score (mean ± sd) | total score (100-mark system) | level | rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| functional literacy | communication literacy | critical literacy | ||||
| baoan | 1.44 ± 0.36 | 1.20 ± 0.34 | 0.85 ± 0.26 | 69.67 ± 16.44 | medium | 7 |
| dapeng new | 1.47 ± 0.30 | 1.22 ± 0.29 | 0.87 ± 0.23 | 71.25 ± 12.72 | medium | 2 |
| futian | 1.44 ± 0.36 | 1.20 ± 0.34 | 0.85 ± 0.26 | 69.81 ± 16.44 | medium | 5 |
| guangming | 1.43 ± 0.34 | 1.19 ± 0.32 | 0.84 ± 0.25 | 69.14 ± 14.62 | medium | 9 |
| longgang | 1.44 ± 0.37 | 1.20 ± 0.35 | 0.85 ± 0.26 | 69.65 ± 16.53 | medium | 8 |
| longhua | 1.44 ± 0.35 | 1.20 ± 0.33 | 0.85 ± 0.25 | 69.72 ± 15.44 | medium | 6 |
| luohu | 1.46 ± 0.33 | 1.22 ± 0.32 | 0.86 ± 0.25 | 70.98 ± 14.83 | medium | 3 |
| nanshan | 1.47 ± 0.33 | 1.23 ± 0.32 | 0.87 ± 0.25 | 71.29 ± 14.87 | medium | 1 |
| pingshan | 1.45 ± 0.33 | 1.21 ± 0.32 | 0.85 ± 0.24 | 70.41 ± 14.36 | medium | 4 |
| yantian | 1.41 ± 0.35 | 1.17 ± 0.32 | 0.82 ± 0.25 | 67.91 ± 15.19 | medium | 10 |
| total | 1.44 ± 0.37 | 1.20 ± 0.35 | 0.85 ± 0.26 | 69.71 ± 16.57 | medium | – |
dimension and total medication literacy scores for each district.
3.4 correlation between each dimension score and medication literacy score
spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the scores of the three dimensions of functional literacy, communication literacy, and critical literacy and the total medication literacy score. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between the scores of each dimension and the total score of the index system were significantly positively correlated at 0.875, 0.873, and 0.790 (p < 0.01). The scores of the three dimensions were also significantly positively correlated (p < 0.01), as shown in table 5.
table 5
| dimension | functional literacy | communication literacy | critical literacy | medication literacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| functional literacy | 1 | 0.630* | 0.542* | 0.875* |
| communication literacy | 0.630* | 1 | 0.563* | 0.873* |
| critical literacy | 0.542* | 0.563* | 1 | 0.790* |
| medication literacy | 0.875* | 0.873* | 0.790* | 1 |
correlation analysis between total medication literacy score and each dimension score.
*significant at p < 0.01 (two-tailed).
3.5 univariate analysis
in the univariate analysis, district, gender, age, education level, marital status, living status, personal monthly income, type of medical insurance, number of comorbidities, disease duration, number of daily medications, frequency of hospitalizations in the past year, history of adverse drug reactions (adrs), and regular contact with medical staff were included as independent variables, and medication literacy was used as the dependent variable. The results showed that the factors significantly affecting medication literacy were district (?2 = 66.839, p = 0.000), education level (?2 = 184.423, p = 0.000), living alone (?2 = 7.226, p = 0.027), personal monthly income (?2 = 90.157, p = 0.000), type of medical insurance (?2 = 82.719, p = 0.000), disease duration (?2 = 18.174, p = 0.006), frequency of hospitalizations in the past year (?2 = 19.196, p = 0.004), history of adrs (?2 = 30.614, p = 0.000), and regular contact with medical staff (?2 = 37.197, p = 0.000). Table 6 showed the detailed results of the univariate analysis.
table 6
| variable | group | n | % | medication literacy score (x ± s) | ?2 | p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| administrative district | 66.839 | 0.000 | ||||
| baoan | 230 | 22.89 | 69.67 ± 16.44 | |||
| dapeng new area | 26 | 2.59 | 71.25 ± 12.72 | |||
| futian | 105 | 10.45 | 69.81 ± 16.44 | |||
| guangming | 48 | 4.78 | 69.14 ± 14.62 | |||
| longgang | 239 | 23.78 | 69.65 ± 16.53 | |||
| longhua | 90 | 8.96 | 69.72 ± 15.44 | |||
| luohu | 71 | 7.06 | 70.98 ± 14.83 | |||
| nanshan | 149 | 14.83 | 71.29 ± 14.87 | |||
| pingshan | 23 | 2.29 | 70.41 ± 14.36 | |||
| yantian | 24 | 2.39 | 67.91 ± 15.19 | |||
| gender | 0.297 | 0.862 | ||||
| male | 484 | 48.16 | 69.73 ± 16.33 | |||
| female | 521 | 51.84 | 69.69 ± 16.80 | |||
| age (years) | 9.484 | 0.050 | ||||
| 60–69 | 695 | 69.15 | 69.45 ± 16.00 | |||
| 70–79 | 255 | 25.37 | 70.26 ± 17.88 | |||
| 80–89 | 55 | 5.47 | 70.46 ± 17.58 | |||
| education | 184.423 | 0.000 | ||||
| little or no literacy | 82 | 8.16 | 53.36 ± 14.79 | |||
| primary school | 211 | 21.00 | 63.08 ± 16.47 | |||
| junior high school | 326 | 32.44 | 69.03 ± 15.39 | |||
| high school/secondary school/technical high school | 260 | 25.87 | 76.53 ± 13.26 | |||
| junior college | 83 | 8.26 | 78.65 ± 14.63 | |||
| bachelor’s degree | 40 | 3.98 | 80.56 ± 11.38 | |||
| master’s degree or above | 3 | 0.30 | 73.90 ± 22.17 | |||
| marital status | 8.729 | 0.189 | ||||
| unmarried | 7 | 0.70 | 62.85 ± 13.95 | |||
| married | 868 | 86.37 | 70.06 ± 16.46 | |||
| divorced | 28 | 2.79 | 61.13 ± 18.48 | |||
| widowed | 102 | 10.15 | 69.55 ± 16.62 | |||
| living alone | 7.226 | 0.027 | ||||
| yes | 144 | 14.33 | 66.27 ± 16.92 | |||
| no | 861 | 85.67 | 70.29 ± 16.45 | |||
| monthly personal income (yuan) | 90.157 | 0.000 | ||||
| ?1,000 | 243 | 24.18 | 63.50 ± 17.93 | |||
| 1,001–3,000 | 322 | 32.04 | 67.15 ± 16.12 | |||
| 3,001–5,000 | 303 | 30.15 | 73.15 ± 14.79 | |||
| >5,000 | 137 | 13.63 | 79.12 ± 12.47 | |||
| type of medical insurance | 82.719 | 0.000 | ||||
| none | 200 | 19.90 | 62.08 ± 17.21 | |||
| employee basic medical insurance | 371 | 36.92 | 76.05 ± 14.30 | |||
| resident basic medical insurance | 357 | 35.52 | 68.19 ± 16.33 | |||
| other | 77 | 7.66 | 66.05 ± 15.25 | |||
| number of comorbidities | 9.083 | 0.169 | ||||
| 0 | 379 | 37.71 | 69.98 ± 17.18 | |||
| 1 | 374 | 37.21 | 70.79 ± 16.02 | |||
| 2 | 190 | 18.91 | 67.88 ± 16.32 | |||
| ?3 | 62 | 6.17 | 67.20 ± 16.48 | |||
| disease duration (years) | 18.174 | 0.006 | ||||
| 0 | 395 | 39.30 | 70.24 ± 17.11 | |||
| 1–5 | 332 | 33.03 | 67.38 ± 16.48 | |||
| 6–10 | 164 | 16.32 | 70.83 ± 15.02 | |||
| >10 | 114 | 11.34 | 73.05 ± 16.37 | |||
| number of daily medications | 7.388 | 0.286 | ||||
| 0 | 393 | 39.10 | 69.96 ± 17.21 | |||
| 1 | 262 | 26.07 | 68.44 ± 15.87 | |||
| 2 | 211 | 21.00 | 69.19 ± 16.78 | |||
| ?3 | 139 | 13.83 | 72.19 ± 15.51 | |||
| frequency of hospitalizations in the past year | 19.196 | 0.004 | ||||
| 0 | 719 | 71.54 | 71.03 ± 16.69 | |||
| 1 | 228 | 22.69 | 66.63 ± 16.07 | |||
| 2 | 48 | 4.78 | 67.33 ± 15.24 | |||
| ?3 | 10 | 1.00 | 56.13 ± 7.90 | |||
| adr history | 30.614 | 0.000 | ||||
| yes | 116 | 11.54 | 70.23 ± 16.14 | |||
| no | 664 | 66.07 | 71.55 ± 16.49 | |||
| uncertain | 225 | 22.39 | 64.02 ± 15.79 | |||
| the situation of contacting medical staff | 37.197 | 0.000 | ||||
| yes, regularly | 173 | 17.21 | 76.69 ± 15.48 | |||
| yes, not regularly | 328 | 32.64 | 67.88 ± 15.26 | |||
| no | 504 | 50.15 | 68.50 ± 17.15 |
univariate analysis of medication literacy (n = 1,005).
3.6 multiple linear regression analysis
to further explore the impact of influencing factors on medication literacy, multiple regression analysis was performed. The statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis (administrative district, education level, whether living alone, personal monthly income, type of medical insurance, disease duration, frequency of hospitalizations in the past year, adr history, and regular contact with medical staff) were included as independent variables, and the total medication literacy score was used as the dependent variable. The method of independent variable assignment is shown in table 7.
table 7
| independent variable | description of assignment |
|---|---|
| administrative district | 1 = baoan, 2 = dapeng new area, 3 = futian, 4 = guangming, 5 = longgang, 6 = longhua, 7 = luohu, 8 = nanshan, 9 = pingshan, 10 = yantian |
| education | 1 = little or no literacy, 2 = primary school, 3 = junior high school, 4 = high school/secondary school/technical high school, 5 = junior college, 6 = bachelor’s degree, 7 = master’s degree or above |
| living alone | 1 = yes, 2 = no |
| monthly personal income (yuan) | 1 = ?1,000, 2 = 1,001–3,000, 3 = 3,001–5,000, 4= > 5,000 |
| type of medical insurance | 1 = no, 2 = employee basic insurance, 3 = resident basic medical insurance, 4 = other |
| disease duration (years) | 1 = 0, 2 = 1–5, 3 = 6–10, 4= > 10 |
| frequency of hospitalizations in the past year | 1 = 0, 2 = 1, 3 = 2, 4 = ?3 |
| adr history | 1 = yes, 2 = no, 3 = uncertain |
| the situation of contacting medical staff | 1 = yes, regularly, 2 = yes, not regularly, 3 = no |
assignment of independent variables.
before conducting multiple linear regression, the tests for heteroskedasticity, multicollinearity, and normality were performed. The diagnostic results indicated that we could not reject the null hypothesis of no heteroscedasticity in the regression equation (?2 = 405.82, p = 0.5211). Additionally, the variance inflation factors (vif) ranged from 1.05 to 3.82 (table 8), suggesting the absence of severe multicollinearity. Therefore, neither heteroscedasticity nor multicollinearity significantly affected the regression results, and the use of multiple linear regression was appropriate. Meanwhile, the normality test results showed that the p-value for kurtosis was greater than the significance level of 0.05 (?2 = 0.17, p = 0.6816), while the p-value for skewness was less than 0.05 (?2 = 53.16, p = 0.0108), indicating that the data were not perfectly normally distributed. We also conducted linearity diagnostics, as shown in figure 2. The points on the residual plot were randomly and uniformly distributed around the horizontal axis (where residuals were 0), with no discernible trend, indicating that the model as a whole conforms to the linear assumption. Based on these test results and for robustness considerations, we employed ols regression with heteroscedasticity-robust standard errors for the multivariate regression analysis. Multiple linear regression showed that significant factors associated with medication literacy among older adults included educational level, type of medical insurance, disease duration, frequency of hospitalizations in the past year, adr history, and the situation of contacting medical staff. All of these factors were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Detailed results were shown in table 8. The residual plot was shown in figure 2. Visualization of regression coefficient forest plot was shown in figure 3.
table 8
| variable | group | coefficient | robust std. Err. | T | p | 95% ci | vif |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| _cons | 55.694 | 2.550 | 21.84 | 0.000 | 50.690 ~ 60.699 | ||
| administrative district | |||||||
| baoan | |||||||
| dapeng new area | ?1.898 | 2.438 | ?0.78 | 0.436 | ?6.683 ~ 2.887 | 1.11 | |
| futian | 1.257 | 1.766 | 0.71 | 0.477 | ?2.209 ~ 4.723 | 1.46 | |
| guangming | ?3.997 | 2.213 | ?1.81 | 0.071 | ?8.341 ~ 0.347 | 1.23 | |
| longgang | 0.545 | 1.412 | 0.39 | 0.700 | ?2.225 ~ 3.315 | 1.64 | |
| longhua | 0.904 | 1.672 | 0.54 | 0.589 | ?2.378 ~ 4.186 | 1.33 | |
| luohu | 4.105 | 1.968 | 2.09 | 0.037 | 0.241 ~ 7.967 | 1.29 | |
| nanshan | 0.423 | 1.533 | 0.28 | 0.783 | ?2.586 ~ 3.432 | 1.57 | |
| pingshan | 6.129 | 3.457 | 1.77 | 0.077 | ?0.6564 ~ 12.914 | 1.12 | |
| yantian | ?7.772 | 3.397 | ?2.29 | 0.022 | ?14.439 ~ ?1.105 | 1.12 | |
| education | |||||||
| little or no literacy | |||||||
| primary school | 8.940 | 1.960 | 4.56 | 0.000 | 5.093 ~ 12.787 | 2.92 | |
| junior high school | 14.373 | 1.945 | 7.39 | 0.000 | 10.557 ~ 18.190 | 3.77 | |
| high school/secondary school/technical high school | 18.851 | 2.021 | 9.33 | 0.000 | 14.885 ~ 22.817 | 3.82 | |
| junior college | 18.944 | 2.606 | 7.27 | 0.000 | 13.829 ~ 24.059 | 2.42 | |
| bachelor’s degree | 18.730 | 2.840 | 6.59 | 0.000 | 13.156 ~ 24.304 | 1.80 | |
| master’s degree or above | 14.081 | 11.856 | 1.19 | 0.235 | ?9.186 ~ 37.348 | 1.09 | |
| living alone | |||||||
| yes | |||||||
| no | 1.930 | 1.302 | 1.48 | 0.139 | ?0.625 ~ 4.485 | 1.08 | |
| monthly personal income (yuan) | |||||||
| ?1,000 | |||||||
| 1,001 ~ 3,000 | ?1.515 | 1.438 | ?1.05 | 0.292 | ?4.338 ~ 1.307 | 2.03 | |
| 3,001 ~ 5,000 | 1.337 | 1.496 | 0.89 | 0.372 | ?1.598 ~ 4.272 | 2.37 | |
| >5,000 | 3.498 | 1.803 | 1.94 | 0.053 | ?0.040 ~ 7.035 | 2.19 | |
| type of medical insurance | |||||||
| none | |||||||
| employee basic medical insurance | 5.853 | 1.518 | 3.86 | 0.000 | 2.875 ~ 8.831 | 2.75 | |
| resident basic medical insurance | 4.105 | 1.377 | 2.98 | 0.003 | 1.404 ~ 6.807 | 2.05 | |
| other | 4.289 | 1.962 | 2.19 | 0.029 | 0.439 ~ 8.139 | 1.37 | |
| disease duration (years) | |||||||
| 0 | |||||||
| 1 ~ 5 | ?0.215 | 1.155 | ?0.19 | 0.852 | ?2.482 ~ 2.052 | 1.49 | |
| 6 ~ 10 | 0.1763 | 1.340 | 0.13 | 0.895 | ?2.453 ~ 2.806 | 1.38 | |
| >10 | 4.710 | 1.516 | 3.11 | 0.002 | 1.736 ~ 7.684 | 1.29 | |
| frequency of hospitalizations in the past year | |||||||
| 0 | |||||||
| 1 | ?4.031 | 1.156 | ?3.49 | 0.001 | ?6.299 ~ ?1.764 | 1.23 | |
| 2 | ?3.0389 | 1.808 | ?1.68 | 0.093 | ?6.587 ~ 0.509 | 1.08 | |
| ?3 | ?11.522 | 2.534 | ?4.55 | 0.000 | ?16.494 ~ ?6.550 | 1.05 | |
| adr history | |||||||
| yes | |||||||
| no | 1.0562 | 1.433 | 0.74 | 0.461 | ?1.757 ~ 3.869 | 2.41 | |
| uncertain | ?3.796 | 1.597 | ?2.38 | 0.018 | ?6.930 ~ ?0.661 | 2.43 | |
| the situation of contacting with medical staff | |||||||
| yes, regularly | |||||||
| yes, not regularly | ?6.0218 | 1.321 | ?4.56 | 0.000 | ?8.615 ~ ?3.429 | 2.09 | |
| no | ?6.696 | 1.235 | ?5.42 | 0.000 | ?9.120 ~ ?4.272 | 2.13 |
multiple linear regression analysis of factors influencing medication literacy score (n = 1,005).
r2 = 0.306, f = 17.820, p < 0.01.
figure 2
figure 3
4 discussion and analysis
4.1 overall level of medication literacy
a cross-sectional survey of the medication literacy of older adults in the 10 districts of shenzhen showed that the overall average score was 69.71 ± 16.57, at a medium level. Low medication literacy was the most prevalent (n = 407, 40.50%), followed by medium (n = 366, 36.42%) and high literacy (n = 232, 23.08%). 40.50% of the respondents had a low level of medication literacy. Although the proportion of people with low medication literacy was lower than that reported by mei et al. (15) in central china, it still constituted the largest group in our study. Mei et al. (15) reported that 53.40% of the 412 participants had insufficient knowledge of rational drug use, showing it necessary to strengthen the medication knowledge of the older adults. This study investigated only the medication literacy level of older adults in shenzhen. The survey results showed that drug knowledge levels in this group were lower than those of the general population (16). The results of this study indicated that compared with other age groups, the older adults had lower medication literacy (17), and more attention and research needed to improve their medication literacy. The assessment of “medium” medication literacy among the older adults in shenzhen may appear contradictory given the city’s abundant educational resources and comprehensive health insurance system. In fact, this outcome results from the combined effects of shenzhen’s unique demographic structure—as a city of immigrants with a large population of accompanying older adults from other provinces who generally have lower educational attainment (only 4.28% of the surveyed sample held a bachelor’s degree or higher)—the limited coverage of pharmaceutical science outreach services, and the inherent complexity of developing medication literacy.
4.2 analysis of influencing factors
education level was associated with medication literacy score. Compared to the illiterate sample group, the medication literacy scores of the sample groups with primary school, junior high school, senior high school, college, bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree or higher educational levels were, respectively, 8.940, 14.373, 18.851, 18.944, 18.730 and 14.081 points higher. The impact of education level on medication literacy has been demonstrated (18, 19), with studies reporting that individuals with a higher education level have a higher ability to access, understand, and calculate complex drug-related information and make correct medication decisions. By contrast, individuals with a low education level are often unable to obtain information about safe drug use from reliable sources and are more likely to be misled by pharmaceutical marketing and advertisements for drugs and healthcare products, leading to adrs.
medication literacy among older adults differed according to their type of medical insurance. Compared to the non-insurance sample group, the medication literacy scores of the sample groups with employee basic medical insurance, resident basic medical insurance, and other types of medical insurance were, respectively, 5.853, 4.105, and 4.289 points higher. The older adults with employee medical insurance had the highest level of medication literacy, followed by those with resident medical insurance, while those without medical insurance had the lowest level of medication literacy. The reason for these results may be that individuals with employee medical insurance have a higher economic status (20). As such, they do not ignore physical discomfort to reduce medical costs, and they pay attention to the safety and effectiveness of the medication process. Therefore, the medication literacy of the older adults without medical insurance should be better promoted.
disease duration was identified as another factor relevant to the medication literacy of older adults. Compared to the group without disease duration, the medication literacy score of the sample group with a disease duration of more than 10 years was 4.710 points higher. Patients with over a decade of disease duration generally exhibit higher medication literacy, a phenomenon likely stemming from “adaptive learning” catalyzed by both the length of illness and the imperative of survival. Through internalizing knowledge, honing practical skills, psychologically adapting to their condition, and deepening their engagement with the healthcare system, they evolve from passive “patients” into active “managers” of their own health.
the frequency of hospitalizations in the past year was correlated with medication literacy levels, with participants who had been hospitalized three or more times in the past year having the lowest medication literacy score. Conversely, participants who had not been hospitalized over the past year exhibited the highest medication literacy score. Specifically, the medication literacy scores of the sample group with three or more hospitalizations in the past year were 11.522 points lower than those of the sample group without hospitalizations in the past year. The reason may be that the frequency of hospitalizations is correlated with the number of comorbidities. When patients with comorbidities and polypharmacy face complex medication plans and higher medication risks, they often find it difficult to fully understand drug information and to remember the correct use of each drug, and their medication literacy may be poor (21). In addition, patients with a high frequency of hospitalizations often feel helpless or lack confidence in their health status, and low self-efficacy affects patients’ attitudes and behaviors toward medication management. Therefore, reducing negative emotions related to their health conditions can improve their self-efficacy, thereby improving their medication literacy (22).
a history of adrs was also associated with the medication literacy score of older adults. Compared to the sample group with a history of adrs, the medication literacy score of the sample group uncertain about their own adr history was 3.796 points lower. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that individuals with low medication literacy, when encountering health anomalies during the medication process, lack both the intrinsic cognitive ability to correctly associate these anomalies with the medication and the extrinsic action capability to actively seek verification to dispel doubts. This dual barrier of cognition and behavior traps them in the fog of ‘uncertainty’. A study have revealed a widespread lack of understanding among the general public regarding what adrs are, and how to report them (23). This lack of knowledge is itself a manifestation of poor drug literacy, which directly leads to patients not knowing what to do next when they have doubts. A systematic review identified that individuals with low health literacy face difficulties in ‘problem recognition’ (including determining whether an adr has occurred), necessitating specialized and simplified strategies to assist them (24).
the extent of contact with medical staff was another factor related to medication literacy levels in the older population. Compared to the sample group that maintained regular contact with medical staff, the medication literacy scores of the sample groups with irregular contact or no contact were, respectively, 6.022 and 6.696 points lower. Patients who can maintain regular contact with medical staff at home have higher medication literacy than others than those who do not maintain regular contact or do not maintain any contact. With the increase in frequency of communication between patients and medical staff, patients’ mastery of their health conditions and related drug knowledge is expected to gradually improve so that they gain a comprehensive understanding and achieve a higher level of medication literacy.
4.3 countermeasures and suggestions
4.3.1 increase investment in medication literacy education for the public
the findings of this study strongly suggest that the government should adopt a series of measures to increase investment in public medication literacy education. First, relevant authorities should formulate clear policies and issue guidelines aimed at enhancing public medication literacy. This includes ensuring that healthcare professionals provide standardized and ongoing medication guidance to patients, thereby improving public trust in drug-related information. Furthermore, supported by dedicated funding and based on unified pharmaceutical knowledge curricula, medication literacy education should be incorporated into the national public health education system. To combat the spread of false drug information and improve the quality of public health services, the government must also strictly oversee access to drug information and safeguard the rights and interests of the older adults. Additionally, to prevent low-income and uninsured individuals from delaying medical care until their conditions become severe, the government should integrate them into the medical assistance system, providing access to low-cost or free essential medicines along with guidance on rational drug use.
secondly, in light of the impact of low educational attainment among the older adults on their medication literacy, government authorities should mandate the differentiation of drug information leaflets into “professional” and “patient” versions. The patient-oriented version must be simplified to contain only essential information for safe use, including drug name, active ingredients, indications, contraindications, administration method, and dosage. To enhance readability and comprehension, authorities should require the use of plain language and, where appropriate, replace textual descriptions with standardized pictograms or schematic diagrams to visually convey critical instructions. Furthermore, the inclusion of a qr code on patient leaflets should be considered, allowing individuals to conveniently access supplementary audio or video explanations via mobile devices (13).
finally, to enhance public awareness of rational medication use, multisectoral collaboration should be actively promoted. It is essential to mobilize all societal sectors to participate in medication literacy education, thereby expanding the social resources, channels, and platforms available for public engagement. Specific recommended measures include: (1) organizing large-scale campaigns to disseminate drug safety knowledge, and (2) encouraging districts and counties to regularly conduct localized medication literacy outreach and educational activities tailored to the needs of the older adults. Examples of such initiatives may involve pharmacists providing consultation services in community health stations, delivering education on preventing adverse drug reactions from polypharmacy, conducting comprehensive medication reviews related to insurance coverage, and implementing scheduled follow-up reminders through primary care channels.
4.3.2 establish and improve the medication literacy education service system
for older adults in the community, enhancing medication literacy constitutes a systematic endeavor that requires the establishment and reinforcement of a corresponding service support system.
first, a robust selection mechanism should be implemented to identify healthcare professionals for public medication literacy education. These individuals must undergo systematic and specialized training according to a standardized protocol to enhance their expertise, expand the scope, methods, and target groups of training, and deliver more comprehensive education—thus effectively improving patients’ medication literacy (25). In practice, healthcare providers should strengthen physician–patient communication and patient education, while conducting regular follow-ups to gain a sustained and thorough understanding of patients’ medication behaviors and promote rational drug use.
second, a dedicated medication consultation hotline should be established. Traditional printed medication materials with fixed content often fail to meet the diverse information needs of different older populations. A medication consultation hotline would provide the older adults with access to professional pharmaceutical knowledge and a more convenient, efficient channel for obtaining drug-related information. Through this platform, pharmacists can deliver personalized medication guidance to older adults, thereby helping to prevent irrational medication use. Simultaneously, health departments can utilize the platform to promptly identify and control disease spread, reducing the overall medical burden.
third, the adoption of “memory aid tools” should be actively promoted. With advancing age, memory decline among the older adults makes them prone to forgetting medications, especially when managing complex regimens. Healthcare departments may provide older adults patients with intelligent pillboxes equipped with voice reminder functions to prompt timely medication intake, thereby improving adherence.
4.3.3 improve individual medication management
enhancing an individual’s medication literacy depends substantially on personal initiative. Individuals should cultivate scientifically grounded medication habits and maintain a clear understanding of the usage, dosage, timing, and contraindications of their prescribed drugs. To minimize missed or incorrect doses, technological aids—such as setting medication reminders and maintaining digital medication records on smartphones—should be actively utilized. Furthermore, individuals should learn to critically evaluate medication information, avoiding uncritical acceptance, and actively refine their cognitive approaches to medication use. Seeking professional assistance when needed is also essential to advancing one’s medication literacy.
family trust and support play a vital role in improving medication management among older adult patients (26). Family members should increase their attentiveness to the needs and emotional well-being of older adults. By strengthening familial support, they can enhance medication supervision, facilitate effective information exchange, and provide sustained encouragement. This, in turn, can improve medication adherence, foster self-management capabilities, and contribute to the overall physical and mental health of older adult patients.
4.4 limitations and prospects
it is essential to acknowledge some limitations of this study. The survey was confined to the older population in shenzhen, and the representativeness of the sample may be constrained by the city’s specific socioeconomic structure. The exclusion of participants with “cognitive impairment” may lead to some selection bias. Self-report bias and unmeasured confounders may also have a certain impact on the results. Therefore, the caution is warranted when generalizing the findings to other regions or populations. Furthermore, the cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships, making it difficult to determine the dynamic interaction between medication literacy levels and educational interventions. Future research could incorporate longitudinal tracking or intervention trials to further verify the actual effects of community pharmaceutical services on medication behaviors in older patients, and include cognitive function assessments to reduce potential bias. Additionally, the assessment framework could be iteratively refined to better accommodate the evaluation needs of diverse regions and populations.
5 conclusion
a cross-sectional survey of medication literacy among older adults in community settings in shenzhen indicated that the average medication literacy score fell within the medium range. Significant factors associated with medication literacy included educational level, type of medical insurance, disease duration, frequency of hospitalizations in the past year, history of adrs, and whether regular contact with medical staff. Targeted educational interventions are recommended for subgroups with lower educational levels, lack of medical insurance, shorter disease duration, three or more hospitalizations in the past year, limited awareness of adrs, and irregular contact with clinicians. Relevant authorities should develop tailored education plans aimed at these populations with lower medication literacy to effectively enhance their medication literacy level.
statements
data availability statement
the original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.
ethics statement
the studies involving humans were approved by the ethics review committee of the first affiliated hospital/the first clinical medicine school of guangdong pharmaceutical university (approval number: 2024iit98). The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. Written informed consent for participation was not required from the participants or the participants legal guardians/next of kin in accordance with the national legislation and institutional requirements.
author contributions
fw: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, visualization, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. My: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, visualization, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Xl: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Qw: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Jw: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Qj: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Ww: conceptualization, formal analysis, resources, supervision, validation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing. Mx: conceptualization, formal analysis, methodology, project administration, supervision, validation, writing – original draft, writing – review & editing.
funding
the author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This study was supported by shenzhen science and technology program (no. Jcyj20230807150659006); guangdong medical products administration scientific and technological innovation project (no. 2021zdb01); guangzhou science and technology plan project (no. 2023a03j0370). The science and technology innovation project of guangdong medical products administration (no. 2024zdz10).
acknowledgments
we thank the community workers and older adults in shenzhen who participated in this research. We thank letpub (www.Letpub.Com) for its linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript.
conflict of interest
the author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
generative ai statement
the author(s) declared that generative ai was not used in the creation of this manuscript.
any alternative text (alt text) provided alongside figures in this article has been generated by frontiers with the support of artificial intelligence and reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, including review by the authors wherever possible. If you identify any issues, please contact us.
publisher’s note
all claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
references
1.
ansahjpchiuct. Projecting the chronic disease burden among the adult population in the united states using a multi-state population model. Front public health. (2023) 10:1082183. Doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1082183,
2.
wastessonjwmorinltanecjohnellk. An update on the clinical consequences of polypharmacy in older adults: a narrative review. Expert opin drug saf. (2018) 17:1185–96. Doi: 10.1080/14740338.2018.1546841,
3.
souliotiskgiannouchostvgolnacliberopoulose. Assessing forgetfulness and polypharmacy and their impact on health-related quality of life among patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia in greece during the covid-19 pandemic. Qual life res. (2022) 31:193–204. Doi: 10.1007/s11136-021-02917-y,
4.
lincskhanhchangryliaowcchenyhsiaosyet al. A study on the impact of poor medication adherence on health status and medical expense for diabetes mellitus patients in taiwan: a longitudinal panel data analysis. Medicine. (2020) 99:e20800. Doi: 10.1097/md.0000000000020800,
5.
pouliotavaillancourtrstaceydsuterp. Defining and identifying concepts of medication literacy: an international perspective. Res social adm pharm. (2018) 14:797–804. Doi: 10.1016/j.Sapharm.2017.11.005,
6.
zhengfdingslailliuxduanyshiset al. Relationship between medication literacy and medication adherence in inpatients with coronary heart disease in changsha, china. Front pharmacol. (2020) 10:1537. Doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01537
7.
unniebaes. Exploring a new theoretical model to explain the behavior of medication adherence. Pharmacy. (2022) 10:43. Doi: 10.3390/pharmacy10020043
8.
mortelmanslgentizonjdillest. Medication literacy and medication self-management: a cross-sectional study in hospitalised patients (65+) with polypharmacy. J nurs manag. (2025) 2024:5430265. Doi: 10.1155/jonm/5430265,
9.
leixjianghliucferrieramugavinj. Self-medication practice and associated factors among residents in wuhan, china. Int j environ res public health. (2018) 15:68. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph15010068,
10.
luoysubzhengx. Trends and challenges for population and health during population aging-china,2015-2050. China cdc wkly. (2021) 3:539–8. Doi: 10.46234/ccdcw2021.158,
11.
plácidoaiaguiarapiñeiro-lamasmvaralloffigueirasaherdeiromtet al. Assessment of potentially inappropriate medications using the eu (7)-pim list, in a sample of portuguese older adults residents in nursing homes. Risk manag healthc p. (2022) 15:1343–52. Doi: 10.2147/rmhp.S346300
12.
pantuzzallndo nascimentoecrepalde-ribeirokbotelhosfmartinsmapvelosorcdsget al. Medication literacy: a conceptual model. Res social adm pharm. (2022) 18:2675–82. Doi: 10.1016/j.Sapharm.2021.06.003,
13.
zhanglliaojpanxliangdzengjsunmet al. How to make more people adopt healthy behaviors? Assessing health literacy, health promoting lifestyle and their association of community residents in shenzhen, china. Front public health. (2022) 10:900883. Doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.900883
14.
sørensenkpelikanjmröthlinfganahlkslonskazdoyleget al. Health literacy in europe: comparative results of the european health literacy survey (hls-eu). Eur j pub health. (2015) 25:1053–8. Doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv043,
15.
meicxubcaixwanmzhaozlvyet al. Factors affecting the medication literacy of older adults and targeted initiatives for improvement: a cross-sectional study in central china. Front public health. (2024) 11:1249022. Doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1249022
16.
muflihsmbashirhnkhaderyskarasnehra. The impact of health literacy on self-medication: a cross-sectional outpatient study. J public health. (2020) 44:84–91. Doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdaa188,
17.
plaza-zamorajlegaziosunaepérez-cárcelesmd. Age and education as factors associated with medication literacy: a community pharmacy perspective. Bmc geriatr. (2020) 20:501. Doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01881-5,
18.
shenzdingsshiszhongz. Association between social support and medication literacy in older adults with hypertension. Front public health. (2022) 10:987526. Doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.987526,
19.
levicmbogavac-stanojevicnubavicskrajnovicd. Pharmacotherapy literacy level and predictors of low literacy among diabetes mellitus type 2 patients in serbia. Bmc public health. (2023) 23:1822. Doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16639-y,
20.
zhukzhanglyuanszhangxzhangz. Health financing and integration of urban and rural residents basic medical insurance systems in china. Int j equity health. (2017) 16:194. Doi: 10.1186/s12939-017-0690-z,
21.
yangyyangyyaomyeqwumlint. Knowledge, attitude, behaviour, and influencing factors of home-based medication safety among community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study. Bmc geriatr. (2023) 23:256. Doi: 10.1186/s12877-023-03966-3,
22.
khademianzarafkgholamzadehs. The effect of self care education based on orems nursing theory on quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with hypertension: a quasi-experimental study. Int j community based nurs midwifery. (2020) 8:140–9. Doi: 10.30476/ijcbnm.2020.81690.0,
23.
joaquimjjmatoscmateos-camposr. Assessment of risk perception of patients concerning adverse drug reactions. Curr issues pharm med sci. (2023) 36:103–7. Doi: 10.2478/cipms-2023-0018
24.
loganvhughesdturneracarternjordans. Methods for identifying adverse drug reactions in primary care: a systematic review. Plos one. (2025) 20:e0317660. Doi: 10.1371/journal.Pone.0317660,
25.
magluoashenzduanyshiszhongz. The status of medication literacy and associated factors of hypertensive patients in china: a cross-sectional study. Intern emerg med. (2019) 15:409–19. Doi: 10.1007/s11739-019-02187-0,
26.
lutyangzchenplijzhengckonglet al. Influencing factors of medication literacy among community-dwelling older adult patients with hypertension: a study based on social learning theory. Front pharmacol. (2023) 14:1184701. Doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1184701,
summary
keywords
medication literacy, influencing factors, older adults, functional literacy, communication literacy, critical literacy, shenzhen
citation
wei f, yang m, liu x, wang q, wu j, jian q, wu w and xu m (2026) medication literacy among community-dwelling older adults in shenzhen: a 2024 cross-sectional survey with psychometric evidence. Front. Public health 14:1728367. Doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1728367
received
19 october 2025
revised
16 december 2025
accepted
25 february 2026
published
16 march 2026
volume
14 - 2026
edited by
chao ma, southeast university, china
reviewed by
ikhwan yuda kusuma, university of szeged, hungary
diamantis klimentidis, psychiatric clinic agia aikaterini, greece
updates
copyright
© 2026 wei, yang, liu, wang, wu, jian, wu and xu.
this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the creative commons attribution license (cc by). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*correspondence: wenyu wu, wuwenyu000@163.Com; mengdan xu, xumengdan716@gdpu.Edu.Cn
†these authors have contributed equally to this work and share first authorship
disclaimer
all claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. |
| ( Read More... | 126476 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| MFin from London Business School vs MBA in USA with scholarship: An Indian appli |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Siddharth panikath has had a unique application journey. He saw many rejections before smartly achieving success. During our initial profile evaluation discussions itself, we had discussed the risk of going ahead with his mba plans and had suggested an alternative too.
acknowledging these, he chose to give mba applications a shot and worked with us. Rejections followed but he bounced back and considered a change of plan. We had suggested a different degree and another set of applications that worked. Let’s hear the details directly from him.
this is the transcript of our our video q&a with siddharth. Watch the original video here: mba in usa with scholarship vs mfin in uk
mba in usa with scholarship vs mfin in uk
how i got into london business school
by siddharth panikath
mg: welcome siddharth. Can you tell our viewers about yourself a bit?
siddharth: i’m a malayali, born in ahmedabad and brought up in mumbai. I did all of my schooling in mumbai. I grew up with an interest in math and science and that led me to pursue engineering, also seconded by the fact that my brother had pursued engineering. So that inspired me as well.
i completed my engineering degree from svnit surat in electronics and communication back in 2020. Apart from that, i’m hugely passionate about sports, especially football.
i have followed the sport and played it for all of my life. It’s a big part of who i am and has helped build my personality and my character as well. So that’s a bit about me.
mg: excellent. So where did you work after graduation and what was your work like?
siddharth: over the course of my four years at svnit, i knew that a core engineering role is not for me and that’s what led me to eventually joining ‘futures first’.
so ‘futures first’ is a proprietary trading firm that deals in financial derivatives and specifically financial futures. I joined there as an energy markets analyst.
as part of my work as an analyst, i was given my own account to trade in one of the most competitive futures markets in the world.
i primarily traded in products ranging from different types of crude oil and products like gasoline, diesel, natural gas and it was quite an interesting experience. I learned a lot about markets.
i also ended up learning a lot about trading in energy markets during a time period such as 2022, when the russia war happened and markets went through a cycle that probably has not been seen for a long time. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something i’ll always keep with me and remember.
mg: yeah. This is very interesting. It feels very intimidating, right, as an engineer getting into this world of trading. So how did you prepare? Any tips you have for people who are thinking of a similar career?
siddharth: i think the first thing is you have to go in with an open mindset. I knew when i went into the interview itself that i was going in with a blank slate because i didn’t clearly know what the job entailed, but i had to back my own ability.
so you have to stay a bit humble, knowing that you’re going to learn along the way. You’ll make mistakes, but at the same time you’ve to be confident that you’ll be able to overcome that.
i think trading in general, as a profession, is highly eq-dependent.
so you always need to stay confident yet stay humble, i would say. That would be the best advice.
mg: right. And from a hard-skills perspective, on the financial aspects and the actual financial products aspect, did you use any sort of resources that you would recommend people look at?
siddharth: so, futures first as a firm is actually now quite mature in terms of learning. There are a lot of modules within the firm itself that help guide you and teach you all of the basics about what futures are, what financial derivatives are, and how you can use them – how companies use them, and how actual physical players are also using them.
they give you quite a lot of information on that. As such, a lot of the exchanges also have material – they have learning resources which we also relied on. Now everything is available on youtube, and even something as simple as a chatgpt search helps you so much.
you can just go ahead and start picking up the basics and learning a bit, then sort of piece together things. At the end of the day, i think it’s a lot of experiential learning – you learn as you do it.
we spent about 4-5 months just preparing before we actually went into live markets.
and the actual learning started after that, because there is a big difference between theory and execution.
mg: so after having this career for a few years, when and how did you start thinking of an mba? And as you did that, also comment on your gmat journey. How did that go?
siddharth: so i think the mba plan was always sort of there. As i mentioned, i realized engineering wasn’t really where i’d spend my career, or most of my career.
i was looking at other options and trying to think in terms of the skill set i would want to use, and i always enjoyed the managerial aspect – mostly the people aspect that’s involved. So i always felt that might be for me.
apart from that, even though i had a strong inclination toward math and science, i think finance and economics were subjects that i felt i wanted to dive into, but i just held off. So i knew that maybe somewhere along the line, that’s something i was going to do, either in the form of a cfa or an mba.
i gave cat every year since my graduation, mostly to stay in touch, because in the year i would want to eventually pursue an mba, i wouldn’t have to struggle as much with the exam.
secondly, i also enjoyed the process of giving the exam as i learned a lot through it.
having done all that, after about 3.5-4 years, i decided that it was time. I felt i had gone through every market cycle, or at least a lot of market cycles, working in the energy markets.
so i felt that i had a good sense of the experience and what it’s like. So now i could actually go ahead and pursue further studies, and that’s when i decided that i would pursue an mba.
now, when it came to deciding whether to do it in india or outside of india, that was more a case of the fact that i had four years of experience and was already bordering on the average class experience in india.
i also spoke to a lot of my peers who had actually done their mba in india, and what i learned is that essentially the mba is whatever you want to make of it. You have your set of goals that you want from the mba. The way i thought of it was that my master’s had to be something that gave me exposure.
since i had already worked and had already been at a national institute at svnit, i felt that now i wanted more global exposure as well as building a global network. I felt that’s the next path for me. That’s how i eventually decided i would look for an international mba and then i went ahead with the gmat.
mg: yeah. It’ll be interesting to hear your gmat preparation strategy. What score did you get? How did that journey go?
siddharth: so i gave the gmat for the first time in 2023 and as i had mentioned, i had given the cat a couple of times earlier. So i did not feel like, conceptually, i had to adapt as much. I gave myself a few months, and i gave the official gmat, which was the old gmat at that time.
i got a score of 710, which is a respectable score, but given my background, i would say that it wouldn’t help me target the top schools. So i just felt that i still had further to improve on.
i gave myself more time, and then a year later, in 2024, is when i applied and again gave the gmat. I gave the gmat focus this time.
i felt the focus would actually help me a bit more because it was more analytical and logical – the component was more focused on that.
i spent another 2-3 months during which i was constantly on and off, but i would say it was a good 2 months of practice where i was using all the official resources. I was using gmat club. I was also using whichever youtube channels i could find – gmat ninja was one of them that really helped me.
using all of that, i eventually got a score of 735 on the gmat focus. And once i got that score, i was pretty certain that that’s all i could do on that front. And i thought that now i could move on to the applications.
mg: absolutely. That was a fantastic score that you got. But despite the score, tell us what were your concerns as you went deeper into the process?
siddharth: so, what i had always heard and later felt firsthand was that the entire application process is more than just a few sets of numbers. I knew that on the score front i was okay.
but it’s a fact that ‘futures first’ is the space i’m working in; it does not primarily require an mba for you to excel in that field.
so for me to explain why i wanted to do an mba was going to be a challenge. And there weren’t a lot of employees from ‘futures first’ who went on to do their mba except a very few, a handful. So i knew it was a tough thing to explain. That was the first challenge i felt i had.
secondly, ever since after my 10th or 12th grade, it was all about academics, and i had to decide how much time i could allot to everything else. So i just decided i’d give everything else to football.
now, obviously, as a person, it helped me a lot – i learned a lot. But if you think about it in terms of cv points, it doesn’t add as much volume. And i felt the effect of that when i was going through the applications.
i could only speak about my experience with football. I did not have that many varied activities that i could select from or show. And i felt that’s very important in this process.
in the form of extracurriculars or in the form of volunteering, i needed something more. That was where i was lacking, and i had to try and bridge that or try to shape it in a better way.
mg: got it. So you went into it with a positive mindset but the first set of applications did not work out right. Tell us what your emotions were? How did you take the rejections? What kind of pivot did you make?
siddharth: yeah, initially i gave about 7 applications in the first round. I got 2 waitlists, and i converted one college. I knew, in terms of selection of the college also, i kept myself restricted to only the top 25 in the us.
i said i won’t go beyond that because i like my job, i like what i’m doing. So i would only choose something else that’s really worth the opportunity – something that i couldn’t pass up on.
after going through the first round and once the results came in, the rejections were tough to take.
some of them i probably expected a better result from, but that’s just how it is. And i think, in that sense, my work has helped me take those hits a couple of times.
so i just took it in my stride and then thought, okay, what’s next? Since i had one convert, i could still keep that as a backup and move on to whatever was next and improve on those aspects.
and that’s when one of the recommendations i got from you yourself was to look at ‘master’s in finance’ programs as well – something which initially i was hesitant about because i just felt i wanted a more complete or holistic experience that an mba provides.
but again, going back to the same point of what you want from your mba or in this case what you want from a master’s, a school like london business school was still providing me that, but in the form of a ‘master’s in finance’. And yet it was teaching me everything that i needed to be taught.
and i knew that, given that i’ve worked 4 years in the financial services industry, most likely i’m recruiting for finance – even if i’m in an mba program, that’s where i’m going to be recruiting.
so i felt that it doesn’t make a big difference if i pursue a ‘master’s in finance’ as it still gets me to where i want to be.
and since the master’s in finance at london business school offers electives that can give me a flavor of what an mba feels like, i felt that it was a good program to apply for. So i went ahead and applied for that and i’m glad i did.
mg: yeah, i know. And during this process, how did you feel working with mba crystal ball (mcb)? What is it about the process that you may have liked?
siddharth: i actually started working with mcb back in 2023. I had done a profile evaluation – that’s how i initially started. That’s how i got in contact with you as well.
i felt the reviews of mcb were very honest and constructive and i think i needed that.
so after doing a bit of research, i decided i’ll go ahead with the mba mock application process (mba map) that mcb provides.
and the mba map is quite extensive, quite detailed. Once i went through that – getting that list of colleges and putting them into buckets – that helped me create a structure, a map of how i’m going to go about my applications, which are the programs i can target, which are tougher for me to get into.
and then, eventually moving on to the essays – i think that was something i wouldn’t have thought of myself, writing such a detailed or such a coherent essay, but it came there after a couple of reviews and a couple of discussions.
also in terms of certain stories, for instance, i wasn’t initially going to bring up my dad’s career in the banking industry as something that helped me decide on my mba.
initially, my ‘why mba’ was just a bit of different fragmented parts and then it helped come together when i used that as an anchor, and that suggestion was given to me by you.
so those little clues – a little bit to keep the mind churning – ideas to think of what else i can add – that was very useful. I put everything on paper and then start forming that skeleton. So i think overall, even in terms of timing, it helped me.
i did not know how much time it would take for each application – how long it takes for going through 4-5 essays, going through 4-5 edits of the same essay. So that whole thing was also quite a process that i learned and enjoyed.
mg: excellent. And so you interviewed both with mba schools and the ‘master’s in finance’ – any similarities or differences that you’d like to share.
siddharth: i think they’re quite similar, at least the international mbas. I’ve given a lot of mba interviews, even in india, but the international mbas are quite similar in the sense that they’re very conversational. So you just have to be yourself.
and i think what helped me was that i treated the interviews as a process of not just them evaluating me, but me evaluating them. So i asked them questions. I want to know about them.
and i think that helps a lot – showing that genuine interest of why i want to be in that program, why that is the program for me and overall, just being yourself, because they’re conversational interviews.
it really helps being clear on your idea of what you want in the future. I think that’s fundamental.
you have to have that for any interview. You have to be as relaxed as you can be and just be ready to answer things on the fly.
mg: you got an admit from a us business school with a scholarship. Tell us what the name was, and then also lbs ‘master’s in finance’. How did you decide between the two as well?
siddharth: i got into the university of north carolina, kenan-flagler business school, with a scholarship and in my second round, i got into london business school for their ‘master’s in finance’.
i think for the most part, i was certain i wanted to go to the us, but then, you also have to consider the political aspect and how everything is changing on that front.
also the fact that brand value is quite important going ahead in the world, i knew that i needed one that’s more global – one that i can use even if i have to come back to india, because that’s a very realistic possibility now for international students, that you may have to come back.
i spoke to a lot of students from both schools. And then for me, you also had the added factor that they’re quite different programs – one is a one-year program, the other is two years – so even in that sense it was quite different.
that’s how eventually i felt, london business school was a better fit for me, and that’s how i decided to go ahead with that.
mg: so now that you’re headed there, any kind of closing remarks or tips you might have for future applicants – what you should have done, what you wanted to do, how it went?
siddharth: i think firstly, when you’re going for any application, this is one thing i learned from you – that you have to speak to a lot of students from those schools to really know what the culture is. That’s how you can then frame the answers that suit you and them.
that’s very important and it helps you. I’ve connected with some very good people. Even though i connected with them just for an application, i’ll stay in touch with them and that’ll be a network that i can tap into maybe in the future. So that’s one thing i think everyone should do.
secondly, i have no regrets. I knew that this was the only set of applications i was sending. So i did apply to really ambitious schools like harvard, stanford because i knew that at the end of the day, i don’t have to have any regrets.
i’m going through this cycle once in my life and i’ll do it. You’ll have a few rejections, but you have to get used to that in the world. You just have to take it in your stride.
if i had to go further back, maybe i would have done a few more activities that could have added cv points which i never really valued that much. I just thought of what interested me and went ahead with that.
that is another factor that i could have considered long ago. But overall, it’s fine. I am who i am because of all of that.
mg: thanks so much siddharth and all the best with your superstar career in the world of finance in coming years! Take care.
get in touch with mba crystal ball if you are aiming for the top business schools: info@mbacrystalball.Com |
| ( Read More... | 36214 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| Playnance Partners With KGeN to Expand G Coin Gaming Ecosystem |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Playnance has entered a strategic partnership with kgen aimed at expanding distribution for its blockchain gaming ecosystem. The collaboration connects the playnance platform and its g coin token economy with a large global gaming network.
kgen operates a distribution protocol that links gaming, ai, defi, and digital consumer platforms with verified online communities.
good to know
through the agreement, playnance will integrate with kgen verifi distribution protocol. The system connects digital platforms with verified gaming communities and player networks.
kgen reports a user base spread across more than 60 countries, supported by a large network of gaming clans and community groups. The platform also tracks over 2 billion player attributes and maintains presence in more than 3,300 universities and colleges.
playnance founder and ceo pini peter described the partnership as an important growth channel.
“partnering with kgen allows us to bring the playnance ecosystem to one of the largest organized gaming communities in the world. Their network of verified clans and millions of engaged players creates a powerful distribution channel for our gaming and prediction platforms, and we believe it will significantly accelerate the global adoption of our ecosystem.”
a central part of the collaboration involves onboarding community leaders from the kgen network into playnance be the boss program.
creators, influencers, and gaming clan leaders can use playnance infrastructure to launch their own social casino platforms. Each operator can distribute gaming experiences directly to their own audience while managing independent digital gaming spaces.
playnance expects the creator driven model to grow the ecosystem as more communities join through kgen network of gaming clans.
at the center of the system sits g coin, the platform utility token used for rewards, payments, and engagement across games.
playnance reports more than 10,000 games already operate on its infrastructure. The platform processes over 2 million blockchain transactions each day and currently counts more than 200,000 g coin token holders.
playnance, founded in 2020, develops blockchain based consumer platforms designed to introduce traditional web2 users to decentralized environments. The system relies on shared wallet technology, high volume onchain execution, and non custodial infrastructure.
kgen functions as a distribution protocol built for digital projects across gaming, ai, and decentralized finance. The platform combines verified user acquisition, decentralized storefronts, and onchain loyalty systems through its poge reputation framework.
with tens of millions of users and thousands of gaming clans, kgen provides digital platforms access to large verified communities across emerging markets. |
| ( Read More... | 5616 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| How to protect your finances if you lose your job |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
How to protect your finances if you lose your job helen morrissey · pensions columnist mon, 16 march 2026 at 8:00 am gmt+2 4 min read
in historical terms, the current unemployment rate of around 5% isn’t much to write home about. You only need go back to 2011 for a rate of over 8%, to 1993 for a rate of over 10% and 1984 for one of almost 12%. However, there are plenty of reasons why even at this level, it’s incredibly unsettling – and why it’s important to consider what it could mean for you.
the main concern for many people is that things are moving in the wrong direction. Unemployment is rising, and the pace has picked up very slightly, redundancies are up over the year and job vacancies are falling. It means workplaces are more likely to be laying people off, so those who remain in work feel less secure.
when things are steadily getting worse, it’s difficult to know where this will end. The office for budget responsibility is optimistic, expecting it to remain around 5% for a while and then drop back closer to 4.1% by 2027. The bank of england thinks it’ll hang around for longer at the current level; however the monetary policy committee admitted there’s a risk it could be higher than expected.
uncertain outlook for jobs there are a couple of potential spanners in the works. There’s the massive unknown quantity of ai, which has started to impact hiring decisions, and is only likely to play an increasingly important role as the technology improves.
a kings college study found that those businesses with the most ai crossover have cut staffing by 4.5% and junior positions by 5.8%. They were also 16.3 percentage points less likely to advertise new jobs. It’s one reason why the ons data shows the unemployment rate of those aged 18-24 in november was almost 13% and the employment rate less than 61%.
interestingly, the loss of junior roles has an impact on the jobs market that may look at first glance to be a sign of strength. As junior roles go, it automatically means that average pay among those who remain in their jobs increases. It means we may see average pay rises and assume it’s a positive, when part of the movement will be directly as a result of job losses.
fired woman · jackyenjoyphotography via getty images there’s also the risk that businesses are reluctant to invest in new staff. There’s a horrible level of uncertainty in the wider world, coupled with incredibly sluggish economic growth and the worry about business taxes every time there’s a budget.
meanwhile, it has been 10 years since the consumer confidence index was in positive territory, so as people hold back on purchases, companies aren’t keen to expand.
this lack of confidence has led to cost-cutting, including the so-called ‘delayering’ of the workforce: removing levels of middle managers.
story continues it means people later in their careers, many of whom are on higher incomes, suddenly find themselves out of work. Not only that, but because every business in their sector may be doing the same thing, they struggle to find work again.
impact of unemployment on your personal finances unemployment can have a devastating impact on your financial resilience. The hl savings and resilience barometer shows that, on average, unemployed households don’t have anything left at the end of the month. Overall, households have enough cash to cover more than three months of their essential spending. Among unemployed households, this falls to less than a week.
if you find yourself in this boat, it’s worth checking whether you qualify for any state support. You may be able to get jobseeker’s allowance – assuming you have worked and paid national insurance contributions recently.
you may also get universal credit, although this won’t apply if you have savings and investments. In any case, you will need to budget for the fact this is likely to offer a much lower level of income than you’re used to.
how to build your financial resilience it means that anything you can build while you’re working could be a lifeline later. It’s worth revisiting your emergency savings as soon as possible.
ideally you should have enough cash to cover 3-6 months’ worth of essential spending – in a competitive easy access savings account. It’s worth checking online banks and savings platforms to make sure you’re making the most of this money.
having a cushion of cash will help keep you on track if you are out of work for a period. At the moment, the hl barometer shows just over half of people are in this position (52%), so it’s worth making sure you’re one of them.
download the yahoo finance app, available for apple and android . |
| ( Read More... | 9408 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| The Plan B Passport Boom Reshapes Global Mobility in 2026 |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Rising political uncertainty, mobility concerns, and wealth preservation strategies are driving renewed demand for second citizenship.
washington, dc, march 14, 2026. The market for second citizenship is changing fast, and in 2026, it looks less like a luxury purchase and more like a form of personal risk management.
for years, the stereotype was simple. A second passport was something the ultra-wealthy bought for convenience, prestige, or tax planning. It sat in the public imagination beside yachts, private banking, and discreet family offices. That image no longer captures what is happening now.
the new demand is wider, more anxious, and more practical.
families are asking what happens if politics turns uglier. Entrepreneurs are asking what happens if banking access tightens. Parents are asking where their children will be able to study, work, and move if the next decade becomes more fragmented, more nationalistic, and harder to navigate. Executives are asking whether one citizenship is enough in a world where mobility can be interrupted by elections, sanctions, unrest, administrative delays, and changing border rules.
that is why the phrase “plan b passport” has become so sticky. It is not just about travel. It is about optionality.
at the start of 2026, industry tracking showed that demand for residence and citizenship rights kept broadening across nationalities and regions, while private wealth migration remained on course for another record year. The message behind those numbers is straightforward. More people want backup systems. They want a backup place to live, a backup legal identity in some cases, a backup school option, a backup banking jurisdiction, and a backup exit route if their home country becomes less predictable.
this is also happening at a moment when the passport gap itself is becoming more visible. Some nationalities still unlock broad freedom of movement with relatively little friction. Others face an increasingly restrictive world of consular paperwork, visa queues, security screening, and limited choices. That gap is shaping decisions well beyond the billionaire class.
the strongest signal is behavioral. People who once treated second citizenship as a conversation for “someday” are moving it into the category of serious planning. In some cases, they are acting before any crisis arrives. In others, they are reacting after a political shock, a security scare, a tax change, or a travel disruption, exposing how narrow their options really were.
one telling example came in late february, when bloomberg reported that british citizenship applications from u.S. Nationals hit a record in 2025. That did not happen because thousands of americans suddenly woke up wanting a different flag for symbolic reasons. It happened because a growing number of people now see citizenship as something strategic, something that can widen legal rights, reduce future uncertainty, and create room to move when circumstances change.
mobility now means resilience
a decade ago, mobility was often marketed as freedom. In 2026, it is increasingly marketed as resilience.
that shift matters. Freedom is aspirational. Resilience is defensive. It suggests people no longer assume the next ten years will be smoother, more open, or more stable than the last ten.
there are several forces behind that change.
politics is one. Polarization has turned elections into life planning events. A change in government can bring tax reform, visa restrictions, capital controls, tougher disclosure rules, or entirely different attitudes toward wealth, migration, and foreign ties. For globally mobile families, the issue is not always ideology. It is volatility.
security is another. The modern traveler now lives with a constant background hum of risk alerts, airline disruptions, regional conflict, protest activity, cyber vulnerability, and rapidly changing border procedures. The u.S. State department travel advisories are a useful window into that mindset. They spell out a world where risk is graded, reviewed, and updated across destinations, with categories tied to crime, unrest, terrorism, health threats, natural disasters, and wrongful detention. For many households, that official framing reinforces a larger conclusion: a single passport and a single home base may no longer feel sufficient.
money is the third driver, but not in the simplistic way critics often assume.
yes, tax exposure is part of the conversation. Yes, wealth preservation matters. But the deeper issue is jurisdictional diversification. Affluent families diversify portfolios across currencies, assets, and geographies. In 2026, many are doing the same with legal status. A second citizenship can sit beside overseas property, foreign banking relationships, family trusts, or alternative residencies as part of a wider stability strategy.
that does not mean everyone is trying to flee. Most are not. The mood is closer to insurance than escape. The goal is to have options before options become expensive, delayed, or politically sensitive.
the buyer has changed
the profile of the buyer is broader than before.
there are still classic investor clients, founders, finance professionals, and high-net-worth families who think in generations. But there are now also remote business owners, globally employed professionals, parents of college-age children, digital workers with portable income, and internationally connected households that feel exposed to one country risk in a way they did not five years ago.
some want mobility for business. They are tired of structuring meetings and expansions around visa friction.
some want family security. They want children to have the right to live, study, and work in more than one place.
some want lifestyle protection. They want the ability to leave quickly if domestic politics sour or civil tensions rise.
others want wealth preservation in the broadest sense. They are not just asking how to save money. They are asking how to protect family continuity when borders harden, tax rules change, or political narratives turn hostile to capital.
there is also a notable psychological shift. The first generation of second-citizenship buyers often framed the decision as an opportunity-seeking one. The 2026 buyer is more likely to frame it as downside protection. That subtle change explains why the market feels more urgent, even among people who have no immediate intention of moving.
not all pathways are the same
the phrase “plan b passport” can make the market sound simpler than it is.
in reality, second citizenship comes through several very different routes. Some people qualify by ancestry. Some through marriage or long-term residence. Some build toward naturalization through work, business, or residence. Some pursue formal investment-based routes, whether directly to citizenship or through a residence first model that later leads to a passport.
each path carries different timelines, costs, due diligence standards, tax consequences, and political risks.
that matters because 2026 is not a loose market. It is a stricter one.
governments are under more pressure to defend the integrity of nationality, residence rights, and source-of-funds reviews. Banks are more alert to inconsistencies in tax residence, identity documents, and beneficial ownership structures. Regulators are more sensitive to anything that looks opaque, rushed, or reputationally risky. The result is a market that is splitting in two.
on one side are transparent, legally structured pathways with hard documentation, enhanced vetting, and realistic timelines. On the other are exaggerated promises, weak intermediaries, and the kind of shortcuts that can create long-term problems with banks, border authorities, and compliance teams.
that is why the new conversation is not just “which passport is strongest?” It is “which route will hold up under scrutiny?”
this is where serious advisers say the market has matured. Amicus international consulting argues that the strongest demand now comes from clients who view a second passport not as a trophy, but as part of a larger compliance-conscious mobility plan that has to work with banking, tax reporting, travel history, and family needs. That is a much more sober lens than the old industry sales pitch, and it reflects the way this market is being pulled toward legitimacy by pressure from both governments and financial institutions.
why 2026 feels different
every year brings a new mobility trend, but 2026 feels more structural than fashionable.
first, the demand is not coming from just one country. It is appearing across a broader mix of origin markets. That suggests a general change in mindset rather than a local panic.
second, the destinations are widening. Europe still carries prestige and practical appeal, but the competition is broader now. The caribbean remains relevant in parts of the market. Latin america draws interest for lifestyle and value. Certain middle eastern and asia pacific jurisdictions are increasingly part of the conversation because capital and talent are moving toward places seen as functional, open, and administratively efficient.
third, wealth migration is reinforcing passport demand. When affluent families move, or even plan to move, they often need more than a visa. They need durable status. They need a structure that works for spouses and children. They need access to schools, health systems, property ownership, and financial services. A second passport is not always the first step, but it is often the end goal or the clearest expression of long-term intent.
fourth, the emotional tone has changed. The global affluent class used to talk about optimization. Now it talks about exposure. That is a very different market.
the limits of the boom
still, the plan b passport boom should not be romanticized.
a second citizenship does not solve political anxiety by itself. It does not automatically erase tax obligations. It does not guarantee perfect banking outcomes. It does not make someone invisible to regulatory systems. And it does not replace the practical realities of residency, reporting, family logistics, and legal consistency.
in fact, one of the biggest risks in this space is buying the story without understanding the structure.
a passport can expand rights, but it must fit the rest of a person’s life. Where are they tax-resident? Where do they actually spend time? What names and addresses appear across their accounts and records? How will their banks interpret a new citizenship? How will a spouse or child be included? What disclosures still apply in their original country? Those are not side questions anymore. They are the deal.
that is another reason demand is climbing even as scrutiny tightens. Serious clients are not just shopping for access. They are shopping for durability.
and durability is expensive, document-heavy, and slow compared with the fantasy version of this market. That may actually strengthen the legitimate side of the business in the years ahead, because the era of easy slogans is colliding with the era of compliance.
a quieter kind of globalization
what makes this story especially interesting is that it cuts against the old narrative of globalization.
the first age of globalization told people the world was opening. This phase tells them the world is still open, but not evenly, not permanently, and not without backup planning.
that is why a second citizenship now appeals to people who do not look particularly ideological, adventurous, or extravagant. They are often cautious. They are often conventional. They simply do not like concentration risk.
in financial language, they are hedging. In family language, they are preparing. In political language, they are refusing to let one country determine every future outcome.
that helps explain why the plan b passport boom is likely to keep growing, even if programs become more expensive and more selective. The demand is being driven by a feeling that is larger than any one election cycle or tax headline. It is being driven by the belief that optionality itself has become a premium asset.
for a growing number of people in 2026, mobility is no longer just about where you can go on holiday. It is about where you can legally land, rebuild, protect your family, and keep your choices open when the world becomes harder to read.
that is why the second passport market is no longer a niche curiosity at the edge of wealth management. It is becoming part of the mainstream language of modern contingency planning.
and that may be the clearest sign of all. The plan b passport is not booming because people have suddenly become more cosmopolitan. It is booming because they are less certain that a single jurisdiction, a single political system, and a single passport can carry all the weight of the future. |
| ( Read More... | 25770 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| Top employers to help Bolton students map out their future careers at fair - Yah |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Top employers to help bolton students map out their future careers at fair saiqa chaudhari mon 16 march 2026 at 5:14 am utc 2 min read add yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on google.
bolton school careers fair 2019 young people across bolton who have their sights on a career in accounting, finance or law can find out how best to achieve their ambitions from some of the leading figures in those industries.
bolton school will stage its accounting, finance and law careers fair on tuesday, march 31 from 10am to 1pm.
the careers fair is open to all young people, with 20 schools so far signed up.
there will be 40 exhibitors at the event, including representatives from the bank of england, keoghs, pwc, bolton firm cowgills , coutts and more.
advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement jon hitchin, director of partnerships at bolton school, said: this is a fantastic opportunity for year 10-13 pupils in every school in bolton and the surrounding areas to find out more about careers in accounting, finance and law and to establish valuable contacts which will be of huge value to them in the future.
teachers can email jhitchin@boltonschool.Org if they would like to bring a group of students along.
the careers fair is one of a number which bolton school organises for young people across bolton to inspire them to realise their ambitions, but also to showcase the wide range of options available to school-leavers and sixth formers today.
bolton school, in general, works closely with secondary schools, higher education (he) providers, youth leaders and the wider community to provide a wide range of activities that have benefitted 3,050 young people.
advertisement advertisement advertisement advertisement this includes workshops in music , classics, stem, the arts subjects and more.
the school has also organised events such as the primary football festival, year 9 physical olympics and bolton children’s fiction awards ; and sharing bolton school facilities and staff expertise.
all of these activities are said to help broaden young people’s experiences and raise their aspirations, supporting social mobility for students across bolton and the surrounding region.
bolton school has been listed in the social mobility list 2026, one of just 10 schools and colleges to be included.
the social mobility list is an initiative organised by making the leap, which commends individuals, charities and companies who are making a significant impact towards advancing social mobility across the uk.
advertisement about our ads |
| ( Read More... | 5142 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| Elon Musk Surges Past $800 Billion as Tech Titans Dominate 2026 Forbes Richest L |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Three key takeaways:
-
elon musk’s net worth has skyrocketed to an unprecedented $839 billion, widening his lead as the world’s wealthiest person through his diverse tech ventures.
-
technology founders claim eight of the top ten positions, underscoring silicon valley’s continued dominance of global wealth creation.
-
the walton family heirs collectively represent a $400 billion retail empire, proving walmart’s multigenerational financial legacy.
the 2026 forbes richest list reveals a seismic shift in global wealth distribution, with technology innovators claiming the majority of top positions and pushing combined fortunes well past $3 trillion. At the pinnacle stands elon musk, whose $839 billion net worth represents more than the combined gdp of numerous developed nations, fueled by his stakes in tesla, spacex, and his rapidly growing artificial intelligence enterprise, xai.
the former google executives who transformed internet search into a personal fortune now occupy the second and third positions. Larry page, with $257 billion, and sergey brin, at $237 billion, maintain their controlling shareholder status at alphabet despite stepping back from daily operations in 2019. Their sustained wealth reflects google’s parent company continued market dominance amid the artificial intelligence revolution.
jeff bezos, the e-commerce pioneer who launched amazon from his seattle garage three decades ago, holds the fourth position with $224 billion. Close behind at $222 billion is meta founder mark zuckerberg, whose college dormitory project has evolved into a social media and virtual reality empire that now defines digital connectivity for billions worldwide.
oracle’s larry ellison, at 81 years old, proves that longevity in technology pays handsomely. His $190 billion fortune stems from roughly 40% ownership of the software giant he cofounded, where he continues shaping corporate strategy as chief technology officer. The technology sector’s strength continues with nvidia’s jensen huang at $154 billion, whose graphics chips have become essential infrastructure for the artificial intelligence boom.
the fashion and retail sector makes its strongest showing through lvmh’s bernard arnault and family, whose $171 billion empire encompasses 75 luxury brands including louis vuitton and sephora. Spanish clothing retailer amancio ortega follows at $148 billion, demonstrating that fast fashion fortunes remain resilient despite changing consumer habits.
finance legend warren buffett, the 95-year-old “oracle of omaha,” holds steady at $149 billion, a testament to value investing principles that have outperformed markets for decades. The walton family’s multigenerational wealth appears through brothers rob and jim walton, whose combined $289 billion from their walmart inheritance places them among the world’s most powerful retail dynasties.
rounding out the top thirteen is michael dell at $141 billion, whose namesake technology company has evolved from dorm-room computer assembly to enterprise solutions giant through strategic acquisitions including the $60 billion emc merger.
source: forbes |
| ( Read More... | 6302 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
| Former Leland Volleyball Star To Be Inducted Into National High School Hall Of F |
| Posted on Monday, March 16 @ 00:00:52 PDT (0 reads) | |
|
|
Former leland volleyball star to be inducted into national high school hall of fame
by craig manning | march 16, 2026
the honors keep coming for leland high school sports legend alisha glass childress. 20 years on from her high school graduation, childress has been named as part of the 2026 induction class for the national high school hall of fame, which is governed by the national federation of state high school associations (nfhs). Childress is one of just five athletes in this year’s class, which the nfhs unveiled last week. A press release announcing the news called childress one of “the top players in the history of high school volleyball.”
coached by her mother (laurie glass, who retired from leland high school in 2023), childress earned first-team all-state honors during each of her four high school seasons, setting national high school records for season aces (296), career aces (937), and career kills (3,584), and career blocks (680). Of those records, only the last one has been broken.
in 2006, childress led leland to a class d state championship and earned major individual accolades, including michigan’s “miss volleyball” title and gatorade high school player title for volleyball.
nfhs is not just recognizing childress for her powerhouse volleyball career, but also for her status as a multi-sport high school athlete. In addition to volleyball, childress was a standout basketball player for leland, earning all-state status as both a junior and a senior.
after her high school successes, childress followed a scholarship to penn state university, where she played as setter and led the team to consecutive ncaa titles in 2007, 2008, and 2009. When all was said and done, childress’s college teams had amassed a 142–5 win-loss record, and childress herself had earned all-american honors three times.
as a professional volleyball player, childress competed for teams all over the world, including the united states national team. With childress on the lineup, team usa earned silver and bronze medals at the fivb volleyball womens world cup (in 2011 and 2015, respectively), a gold medal at the 2014 fivb volleyball womens world championship, and a bronze medal at the 2016 summer olympics in rio de janeiro. Childress also earned best setter honors at the 2016 olympics. In addition, she holds two female athlete of the year titles from usa volleyball, for 2013 and 2014.
childress continues to work in the world of volleyball. Last fall, the san diego mojo, a major league volleyball team, announced childress as its new head coach. Childress had previously worked as part of the coaching staff for the stanford university women’s volleyball team.
“just as meaningful as her athletic achievements is alisha’s continued commitment to the volleyball community,” said vicky groat, a volleyball coach at st. Philip high school in michigan, in the nfhs press release. “She has remained deeply connected to her hometown of leland and to youth volleyball in michigan. Whether leading camps, speaking to high school athletes, mentoring young setters, or emphasizing the importance of leadership and character, alisha has consistently used her platform to inspire the next generation—not just to become better volleyball players, but to become better teammates, leaders and people.”
“it’s a strong argument that alisha glass continues to set the bar as not only our state’s best female athlete all-time, but arguably the most accomplished volleyball player in national high school history,” added mark uyl, executive director of the michigan high school athletic association (mhsaa).
comment
former leland volleyball star to be inducted into national high school hall of fame
the honors keep coming for leland high school sports legend alisha glass childress. 20 years on from …
read more >>
a tale of two county resolutions: hr, finance back on the docket for this week’s county commission meeting
leelanau county commissioners will review and vote on resolutions this week that could dictate the future direction …
read more >>
lcn announces expansion with new “samaritans’ closet” location in empire
leelanau christian neighbors (lcn) announced the expansion of its retail operations with a second samaritans closet thrift store, located …
read more >>
whats next for county drain commissioner, leelanau child care vouchers?
leelanau county drain commissioner timothy o’non submitted a letter of resignation this week and will officially abdicate …
read more >> |
| ( Read More... | 9088 bytes more | comments? | ) |
| |
|
| Classifieds |
|
|
