••• political research
2016 election set ad-spend record
According to a report from Borrell Associates, The Final Analysis: Political Advertising in 2016, a record $9.8 billion was spent on national, state and local campaigns. TV got the largest share, digital media got more than expected (mostly due to social media) and 2017 is forecast to see $5.8 billion spent on political ads. 2016’s political ad spend increase was 4.6 percent above the 2012 presidential election. Broadcast TV lost ground, from a 57.9 percent share of all political advertising in 2012 to a 44.7 percent share in 2016. Digital media spending, though, increased nearly eightfold, going from a 1.7 percent share in 2012 to a 14.4 percent share in 2016.
••• health care research
Docs looking for work-life balance
A survey of physicians about their resolutions, goals and challenges for 2017 by researcher Toluna, Wilton, Conn., shows that of those who reported making New Year’s resolutions, 87 percent ranked “achieving work-life balance” as their most or second-most important resolution, while 69 percent ranked “staying current with technology” and 58 percent ranked “taking advantage of more leadership and training opportunities” as their most or second-most important resolution. A top concern mentioned in the survey findings was adapting to any changes made by President Donald Trump, especially to the Affordable Care Act. Eighty-three percent of the physicians surveyed said they believe the Affordable Care Act should be completely replaced. Of those that believe it should be replaced, 35 percent said it should be replaced with a federally-funded program that provides health care for all Americans and 48 percent said it should be replaced with something other than a federally-funded program. Eleven percent said there should be no changes and 6 percent were undecided, thought there should be a few minor changes or had other ideas.