News Above the Noise—Week of September 22, 2024

1. The Federal Reserve Just Cut Interest Rates by a Half Point

This move may give consumers a reason to breathe a little easier. With a 50-basis-point rate cut, the door is open for lower borrowing costs on everything from credit cards to auto loans to mortgage rates. While one rate cut may not offer immediate relief, the cumulative effect could significantly impact household budgets. Click here to learn more.

2. Medical Practices That Older Patients Should Question

Recent studies are challenging the effectiveness of certain practices, including the use of thickened liquids for patients with swallowing issues, pausing blood pressure meds before surgery, and spine implants for back pain. Are these treatments truly helping, or are they simply outdated? To learn why experts are rethinking these common procedures and what it means for older patients’ care, click here.

3. The Fundamental Truth About Finding Satisfaction in Life

Philosopher John Stuart Mill had the ultimate advice for how to approach your “hoped-for heaven” in this earthly life. He suggests that a good society is one where happiness is maximized for all, challenging the notion that the pursuit of joy is a selfish one. Want to unlock the key to greater satisfaction in your own life? Click here to read Arthur C. Brooks’s latest column in The Atlantic.

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4. U.S. Overdose Deaths Plummet

For the first time in decades, national surveys compiled by the CDC show a decline in drug deaths of roughly 10.6 percent. To learn more about the factors that may be fueling this sharp change, and why after years of wrenching drug deaths that seemed all but unstoppable, some are voicing caution about this apparent trend, click here.