America is in the midst of an age boom. The 50+ population in America has grown from 74 million in 1999 to more than 99 million today, and is projected to be 127 million in 2030. While part can be attributed to the sheer size of the boomer demographic, part is due to a dramatic increase in longevity – at the beginning of the 20th century, life expectancy was 49 years, and today it tops more than 80 years.
In response, KUED introduces Next Avenue, an extensive new website that is part of KUED.org. Designed to meet the needs and the potential of this age boom, Next Avenue will engage, inspire and inform the more than 100 million people who are transitioning into what many see as a new life stage in human development – a stage between young adulthood and “old old.”
Next Avenue is tailored to engage the 50+ population and help them plan for these “bonus years” as the most comprehensive, accessible, intelligent, and thought-provoking daily stop for this growing audience.
KUED is one of 73 Next Avenue affiliates bringing this important service to their communities. When users log on to KUED.org, they will see the Next Avenue icon on the right side of the home page.
"KUED is excited to participate in Next Avenue," says KUED General Manager Michael A. Dunn. "It provides great value not only to our viewers but to the entire community."
The Next Avenue website will provide visitors with in-depth content that the organization creates with its own editorial team, as well as aggregates and commissions from expert sources. The site focuses on health, finances, work, leisure and caregiving.
Contributors include top experts and leading journalists who create original content designed to suit Next Avenue’s mission of providing inspiration, advice and perspective. The Money & Security and Work & Purpose sections offer perspectives and advice for achieving financial well-being, maximizing present careers and preparing for meaningful new work. Contributors include the editor for NPR's Marketplace Money, the executive director of the Pension Research Council and journalists specializing in personal finances and careers.
Said one user, “I love this website…As a 50+ woman who's trying to reinvent myself or change careers after many years staying home to raise my children; I need this kind of information and support."
The Health $ Well-Being and Caregiving sections feature a Harvard University neuropsychiatrist, a pioneer in the field of stress reduction for family caregivers, a nationally-recognized authority on aging in American culture and a nationally recognized expert on America’s 65 million family caregivers.
The Living & Learning section includes content focused on the home, arts, travel, family and relationships, spirituality, arts and entertainment, technology, personal reinvention and more. Contributors include marriage experts, home and design authors, family relationship authors, cookbook authors and chefs, the former New York Times gardening columnist, technology authorities, travel experts and film critics.
As a PBS product, Next Avenue provides a wealth of video and public television personalities on the site, such as the PBS NewsHour team and Rick Steves, host of the popular travel show, Rick Steves' Europe. In addition, PBS stations throughout the country will provide relevant local information that specifically address community needs and interests.
Content also comes from Next Avenue’s formal relationships with key public and non-profit organizations including the Administration on Aging, Encore.org and Civic Ventures, Family Caregiver Alliance, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Leading Age, National Council on Aging, National Endowment for Financial Education, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and SCORE.
An in-house staff will create original content designed to suit Next Avenue’s mission of providing inspiration, advice and perspective" to help grownups keep growing."
“Our experienced editorial team and the variety of contributors and content is designed to offer Next Avenue visitors new perspectives and ways of thinking about their futures,” said Judy Diaz, Next Avenue president. “The 50+ demographic is huge, diverse and influential, and Next Avenue will give them the tools they need to enrich their lives and confidently plan for their futures.”
Next Avenue is led by Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) in partnership with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), American Public Television (APT) and PBS stations nationwide.
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