Following, I have explored the online journal of the Miami Herald in order to identify unmet needs that may serve as business opportunities.
1. "In search of bigger butts, women find South Florida death traps"
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF1BC701EB9B90?p=AWNB
The story: This article highlights the recent passing of 29 year-old West Virginian mother Heather Meadows, who traveled to South Florida for a Brazilian butt-lift on behalf of Encore Plastic Surgery. Due to medical malpractice, Heather's surgery resulted in fat particles clogging her arteries and heart, and ultimately her death. Heather is not the only individual who has passed due to poor surgical procedure, and while The Florida Department of Health has charged these doctors for malpractice and employing unlicensed professionals, these poorly equipped clinics continue to practice.
The problem: A clear a problem here in this story is the lack of justice that victims of such surgeries see. Not only did Heather's surgery come at the cost of her life, but her death was not brought to justice, as the clinic continues to operate. Individuals who fall ill due to medical malpractice should have the immediate resources of a law firm which specializes in such injustices in order to compensate the victim for medical attention and furthermore ensure that the clinic will suffer the consequences for medical malpractice, should that mean the clinic itself is shut down or the doctor's license is removed.
The victims: Women who undergo cosmetic surgery
2. "Today, friendships require more than Facebook, FaceTime"
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEF9795180BA68?p=AWNB
The story: This blog discusses virtual friendship versus physical relationship and camaraderie. People are affiliated with others in close relationships through social media rather than in their tangible person. Although technology makes it easier to stay connected, we seem to be more disconnected in our friendships: they are not as authentic and are relatively disposable.
The problem: The issue is that it is hard to share a close, authentic, relationship over social media. Relationships have been reduced to "likes" and exchanges of 10 second videos or pictures.
The victims: Avid users of social media
3. King tides flush human waste into bay, study finds
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CEF9797768D080?p=AWNB
The story:
Floodwater pumps are dumping law-breaking levels of fecal bacteria into Biscayne Bay. Human and dog waste enters floodwaters from outdated sewer lines and broken septic tanks. The projections of chronic flooding with the rising sea levels only entail that the pumps will be operating near full-time. What does this mean for Miami Beach and other coastal areas? More floodwater from urban areas will breach coastal waters and impact tourism. Frequent sewage spills due to heavy rains and flooding have forced Miami to undertake a public works project, beginning the installation a $500 million stormwater system. In the projects youth, with four of the 70 pumps installed, a team of scientists sampled the water to find pollutants toxic to marine life: levels of fecal matter still well beyond state limits. Tidal flushing keeps filthy water from building up in the bay but is still flushed out into coral reefs.
The problem: The floodwater pumps and faulty sewage systems and septic tanks are polluting the environment and affecting marine life as well as tourist sites.
The victims: Coastal residents and their local economy, owners of businesses that profit off of tourism, the environment, marine life
4. Youngsters taught water safety in wake of many drowning deaths
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF1BC623133F80?p=AWNB
The story: Florida is the highest ranked state in the nation for child drownings, the second most common cause of accidental death among young children. South Florida is undertaking efforts to raise awareness and combat the issue through annual safety events to inform the community about rip tides, and provide resources for swimming lessons, safety procedures, and safety gear. The article stresses the necessity of swimming lessons at a young age, to the extent of suggesting they be mandatory in school. Mother to a child lost to drowning, Quintana relayed that there were few organizations that could support her efforts to promote water safety. Quintana then started Kyan's Kause, named after her lost son, which has thus far provided 2,000 swimming scholarships, and provided county-wide sessions of free swimming lessons.
The problem: Drowning is the second leading cause for accidental death for young children and Florida leads the way in national ranks. Not enough organizations like Kyan's Kause exist to combat the issue.
The victims: Young children and their families.
5. 1 shot and wounded at Miami Metromover station
http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CF70286F3C6458?p=AWNB
The story: Recently at the Miami Metromover, the station's security guard came across a panhandler. According to Miami-Dade officials, after the security guard requested the panhandler vacate the premises, the panhandler complied, but returned. Some physical altercation arose between the two and after being choked and bitten, the guard shot the panhandler. The confrontation landed both parties in medical facilities, and the identity of the panhandler remains unknown.
The problem: Panhandling is a nationwide crisis in all major cities and areas of dense population. Not enough resources are advertised or available to combat homelessness or assist those in serious need of residential security.
The victims: Panhandlers, homeless individals.
Great job finding opportunities in your local area. Your analysis of these opportunities is interesting and very thorough. I enjoyed the article about friendship requiring more than just social media, and it makes me want to reach out more to my family and friends. I am also disappointed in the storm water situation polluting the environment and hurting the wildlife. There seems to always exist an opportunity to help the environment or the animals negatively affected by something we do. I also believe strongly in teaching children how to swim and be safe on the water, so Kyan's Kause sounds like an extremely beneficial program.
ReplyDeleteHi Ciara,
ReplyDeleteAll of the articles you found present dangers most people have to be aware off. Whether it is bad clinics, drowning, or shootings people have had to be vigilant for generations not to fall victim to these incidents. However, having friendships that lose intimacy because of social media is a problem that has just developed in society. A complication that affects us millennials mostly so we need as many investigative pieces and exposure articles as we can get on this phenomenon in order to learn how to combat the issue.
Hey Ciara, I like that you used the Miami Herald as your paper to find local opportunities. The article I found the most interesting was the one about children being taught water safety. I did not know Florida was the highest ranked state for child drownings. I know I've been to the beach so many times when it has been a red flag and I see tourists letting their children play in the water without paying attention to them. It is scary. My nephew was put in swim classes before he was even one year old and my brother is constantly taking him in the water so he will be familiar with it and know the proper steps to take if he is put into a situation where he could drown.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that people try to take advantage of other people's insecurities. I can't believe the clinic is still allowed to practice, especially if they found that the woman's death could have been prevented.
ReplyDeleteNice job finding other opportunities.
Hey Ciara,
ReplyDeleteGreat job with this post. You used great articles, and I thought you had very good insights on them. Very well done!
- Ryan