NLS Listening Sessions Handout - Think Tanks

Thank you for your willingness to contribute to our listening session, which is part of an effort to plan
for a potential NLSY26 cohort. We have provided a few topics and background information to help get
your thoughts flowing before your session.
Example questions to help you brainstorm before attending the listening session
• What could the NLS program do to better facilitate your organization’s use of NLSY data? Are
there barriers for your organization’s use of NLSY data?
• Based on the research areas you’re reporting on, are there any new concepts that need to be added
to the new NLSY26 cohort? If so, what concepts?
• Except for NLS press releases, NLS does not produce repeated annual tables. Would producing a
standard set of tables on an annual basis be useful to you or your organization? If so, on what
topics?
• Are there oversamples that are needed?
• Can you suggest administrative data sources that BLS should consider linking to the NLSY26?
Past feedback BLS already received from other stakeholders for a new youth cohort
1. Examples of important content for a new cohort obtained from outreach that BLS conducted with
Federal agencies and departments:
• Labor and Work related:
o Defining the relationship of the individual to the employer (type of worker)
o Measuring gig and other short-duration work episodes
o Changing nature of work and automation
• Child and Family related:
o Disability and accommodations in K-12 schooling
o Public assistance/eligibility and application
o Child early life health experiences
• Health, Environment, and Climate related:
o Source of health insurance for 18-26 year olds
o Environmental toxin exposure
o Social determinants of health such as housing stability and the quality of housing
• Mental Health related:
o Experiences of discrimination
o Social isolation and loneliness