From pandemic to politics and beyond, 2021 was another unprecedented year. One thing never changes, though: the power of data to reveal where we've been—and how we can move forward.
Here are 10 statistics that provided context, inspired action, and guided us forward over the past year. |
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1. 85% of Americans want major changes or complete reform for their political system. | An October Pew Research Center survey found a broad desire for systemic change in the U.S., and not just governmental change: - 66% said at least major changes are needed to the U.S. economic system.
- 76% said the same of the health care system.
It's not just America.
The same survey found widespread discontent with democracy: A median of 56% of citizens of 17 advanced economies said their political systems need major changes or complete reformation. | |
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4. Overdose deaths topped 100,000 in America—a first. | | As the 1.6 million Americans with opioid use disorder and their loved ones know well, overdose deaths have risen dramatically during the pandemic.
Yet only 18% of Americans with this disorder receive effective medication—namely buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone. Each year, opioid overdose, misuse, and dependence account for …- $35 billion in health care costs.
- $14.8 billion in criminal justice costs.
- $92 billion in lost productivity.
Expanding access to proven treatments can improve outcomes and save lives. | |
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Take a Break: Top 10 Nature Photos of 2021 | | Information overload? Unwind with our most popular Pew Environment Instagram posts of the year—including stunning sea stars, inquiring seals, mangroves brimming with life, and more. | |
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5. 37% of unvaccinated Americans don't see COVID-19 as a major public health threat. | THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER | Also, unvaccinated U.S. adults were more likely to contract the coronavirus and be hospitalized than vaccinated Americans—but were less likely to be concerned that they'll be infected and need hospitalization, survey results show.
Unvaccinated adults were also less likely to report wearing masks in stores or other businesses all or most of the time in August 2021, when the survey was conducted. | |
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7. Only an estimated 336 North Atlantic right whales remain. | | The number of these whales has plummeted in recent years. A main threat? Entanglement in ropes used in lobster and crab fishing.
Time is running out, and new U.S. regulations do not offer enough protection to save the species from extinction. | |
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8. The infrastructure act provided an unprecedented $65 billion to boost broadband access. | | How can states expand access to high-speed internet? And make states more flood ready? And protect fish, wildlife, and the environment as a whole?
The recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides funding to help states do all of the above—with benefits for people and wildlife alike.
Beyond broadband: More ways the infrastructure act will help One more reason to celebrate the bill's passage? "We should be pleased to see," our CEO Sue Urahn writes, "that the pulse of bipartisanship still beats." | |
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Thank you for spending time with us in 2021. We wish you a safe, happy, and healthy new year. |
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