Aya Cathey

1 week ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Drew Maziasz

A new survey found that the average age for a first time home buyer in the United States is 38. That is significantly older than previous generations. Monday on the "Sound of Ideas," we take a look at the housing market, where rising prices, limited inventory and competitive offers have turned home buying into a stressful and often overwhelming experience for many Northeast Ohio residents.

3 weeks ago | ideastream.org | Rachel Rood |Aya Cathey

Local news deserts are spreading at an alarming pace, according to the 2024 State of Local News report from Northwestern, which found that 204 counties in the U.S. don't have any news outlet, and 1,500 counties only have one. When communities aren't informed, it can lead to increased polarization, decreased voting and increased government corruption.

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Drew Maziasz

Not long ago, talk therapy was spoken about in whispers. Today, it's become a central way many Americans manage their mental health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen not only a rise in anxiety, depression and burnout, but a shift in how people respond to those feelings. More are choosing therapy to treat these conditions, while medication is on the decline for the first time in years, according to a recent in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Aya Cathey |Jenny Hamel

In Northeast Ohio, issues like lead exposure, aging infrastructure and air pollution are more than just nuisances — they're public health concerns, hitting some communities harder than others. And here's the connection that doctors say people miss: these environmental risks are tied to heart disease, the leading cause of death in Ohio. From water pollution to heavy metals, the very factors harming our environment are also damaging our cardiovascular health.

1 month ago | ideastream.org | Jenny Hamel |Aya Cathey

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pause was put on nearly all federal student loan payments in order to offer relief for borrowers. Payments resumed in fall of 2023, though borrowers didn't face consequences from missed payments until the following fall. But this month, the Trump administration resumed collection efforts on defaulted student loans -- which occurs after 270 days or more of nonpayment. It marks the end of the pandemic-relief for student borrowers.