Business Tidbits | Nov. 26

Business News (Photo – Graphics Dept.)

Business News compiled for you by our editors.

By News Desk

– DocGo Expands Program to Enhance Healthcare Access

DocGo Inc. (Nasdaq: DCGO) (“DocGo” or the “Company”), a provider of technology-enabled mobile health services, announced the expansion of a program (Care Gap Closure)  to enhance healthcare access for hundreds of thousands of California Medi-Cal enrollees/patients/members. The program aims to re-engage patients with the healthcare system, delivering essential care to underserved communities in Sacramento, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernadino, and Orange County through a partnership with a top 10 national insurance provider.

A partnership with a leading national insurance plan provides the Company with lists of disengaged patients who require treatment to close care gaps and face challenges accessing the healthcare system. The expansion allows patients to receive care at home or in mobile health centers, helping to eliminate many of the obstacles that have discouraged people from engaging with their healthcare providers. In addition to facilitating well child visits, topical fluoride administration, vaccinations, and hypertension & diabetic control assessments, the Company has plans to facilitate PCP services for patients in the California market to help keep them engaged with their care and remain healthier over time.

– 59% of Older U.S. Job Seekers Believe Their Age is a Hiring Obstacle

CWI Labs Equity Summit—CWI Labs, an organization focused on identifying innovative solutions to labor force obstacles so that all job seekers can pursue a path to economic opportunity, announced the results of its Age Inclusion in the Workplace survey which found that although older workers are eager to play a role in an intergenerational workforce, many are not optimistic about their prospects, and only 21% believe that they will find a job in six months.

– SURE and SageSure Debut Commercial Product for California Business Owners

SureChoice Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (“SURE”), a policyholder-owned reciprocal exchange, in partnership with SageSure, one of the largest managing general underwriters focused on catastrophe-exposed markets, today announced the launch of its first non-admitted business owners policy (BOP) in California.

The new policy arrives as California contends with fewer insurance options and increasing wildfire risk. This year to date, 6,078 wildfires have burned a cumulative 977,923 acres across California, outpacing the state’s five-year average.

– Stamps.com Research Reveals Mail Still Plays Critical Role in How America Communicates

In an era dominated by digital communications, the act of sending mail might seem like a relic of the past. However, a survey commissioned by Stamps.com, a leading provider of postage and shipping solutions from Auctane, reveals that mail is far from obsolete. From personal letters to essential business documents, consumers and companies alike are still mailing, driven by a desire for personal connection and reliable communication.

The study, which surveyed a diverse range of consumers in the U.S., found that nearly two-thirds (65%) still send letters and packages monthly. Even more surprisingly, younger generations are also active mailers, with nearly half (48%) of Gen Z mailing 1-2 times a month.

– Nearly One in Three People Worldwide Report Being Victims of Digital Fraud

Telesign, the provider of customer identity and engagement solutions, released the second set of data from its 2024 Trust Index Report. Among the new findings, nearly one in three people globally report being a victim of digital fraud, with most victims reporting the crime occurred in the past six months. It also found that data breaches remain a significant driver of these fraud incidents, with nearly half of all reported fraud cases involving information stolen during a breach.

The study also found that the majority of people worldwide (58%) are more fearful of becoming fraud victims now than they were two years ago. This heightened fear of fraud is consistent across various demographics and regions, highlighting the growing global anxiety around digital security fueled by the rise of AI.

– People Still Believe Antiquated Username and Passwords Are Strong Enough

In the era of uncertainty with AI and an increase in cybersecurity breaches, Yubico, the leading provider of hardware authentication security keys, today shared the results of its 2024 Global State of Authentication survey.

Conducted by Talker Research, the survey polled 20,000 people from around the world, including Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, to gauge perceptions and understanding of the global impact of cybersecurity both personally and in the corporate realm, explore the risks posed by inadequate security practices, the potential threat of technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the impact this has on both personal and organizational safety.

– Misuse of Antibiotics Endangers Millions Worldwide

Following a recent study published in The Lancet predicting more than 39 million deaths between now and 2050 due to antibiotic-resistant infections, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) cautions healthcare institutions and providers worldwide against misusing antibiotics, particularly doxycycline.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for sexually transmitted infections, particularly gonorrhea, is of increasing concern because misusing antibiotics can make conditions harder to treat. Incomplete treatments may suppress, but not eradicate, infections. This delays appropriate treatment and contributes to the spread of resistant strains. Overusing doxycycline in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) also risks resistance, impacting prevention efforts in high-risk populations.

– Zip Unlocks the Vault with Financial Taboos Survey

Zip (ASX: ZIP), a digital financial services company offering people-centered products, released findings from its Breaking Financial Taboos survey, highlighting the critical need to address the culture of financial secrecy that pervades American society. Zip surveyed over 16,500 individuals aged 18 and over nationwide to uncover Americans’ discomfort in talking about money, the barriers to having open financial discussions and to emphasize the need for comprehensive financial literacy and transparency.

While 73% of respondents feel comfortable discussing their finances with their spouse or partner, only 29% are willing to share financial details with friends, and a mere 12% feel comfortable discussing these matters with their children. Almost 1 in 10 (8%) respondents reported that they do not discuss their personal finances with anyone at all.

Work colleagues (33%) and friends (32%) are the most commonly avoided groups when it comes to financial conversations. Even among close family members, such as parents and children (26% each), there is a significant tendency to avoid these discussions.

(Photo – simplemobile.com/gdp/california)

Simple Mobile will be Wireless Partner for California LifeLine Foster Youth Pilot Program

Simple Mobile^®, a no-contract wireless provider that runs on Verizon’s network, announced it has been chosen by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to be its wireless partner in the re-launch of the California LifeLine Foster Youth Pilot Program.

With this partnership, Simple Mobile will ensure each participant receives a free smartphone, charger, and case courtesy of Simple Mobile. The pilot will deliver unlimited talk/text and up to 25 GB of mobile data and 10 GB of hotspot data to each participant, helping California foster youth have the resources they need to stay connected.

The program will transition more than 12,000 foster youth from all over California to Simple Mobile from another provider and set up a streamlined process set to bring many more into the fold.