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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Health
- Korea Herald
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: SNAP BENEFITS LINKED TO SLOWER COGNITIVE DECLINE, 10-YEAR STUDY FINDS
Key Takeaways TORONTO, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- People who participated in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had slower cognitive decline over 10 years than those who didn't participate, according to new research being reported today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC ®), in Toronto and online. The findings highlight the potential of food assistance programs to support cognitive health in the aging population and point to the need for additional efforts to reduce disparities in cognitive aging across different racial and ethnic groups, the researchers said. They also underscore the need for public health policies that ensure equitable access to programs like SNAP, which helps low-income individuals and families buy food, particularly for populations that may face additional barriers to enrollment. Using the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS), researchers compared participants in SNAP to those who were eligible for the program but didn't participate. They determined that SNAP participants had a 0.10% slower decline in overall cognitive function, or two to three additional years of cognitive health over the 10-year period. "Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead. "Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping all people build these habits into their daily lives, including eating right, one of our 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain." Researchers analyzed a racially and ethnically representative group of people age 50 and older comparing 1,131 (average age ~63 years) who were enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1,216 who were eligible for SNAP but did not participate (average age ~66 years). Memory and executive function — the ability to plan and carry out tasks — were assessed every two years between 2010 and 2020 via telephone or web-based interviews. People with an initial cognition summary score indicating cognitive impairment or dementia (11 or less out of 27 points) were excluded from the analysis. While a 0.10-point difference in annual cognitive decline may seem small, the researchers note that its long-term impact is significant. "For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade," said Linlin Da, MPH, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, Athens. "This suggests SNAP participation, or another similar nutrition support program, could significantly delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia, allowing people to preserve their ability to manage medications, finances and daily tasks longer," said Da. "This ultimately supports greater independence and higher quality of life in older adulthood." "At the same time, we discovered that this protective effect is not the same for everyone: non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults did not benefit as much in cognitive functions compared to non-Hispanic white participants," Da added. Comparing the cognitive findings for White, Black and Hispanic SNAP participants in the study to their peers who didn't participate in SNAP, the researchers found all three groups benefitted, but observed much stronger benefits and slower decline for the White SNAP participants. "We hope health care providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance," said Suhang Song, Ph.D., corresponding author of the study and assistant professor in the department of health policy and management at the University of Georgia College of Public Health. About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia ®. Visit or call 800.272.3900.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Americans on food stamps less likely to suffer from deadly brain disorder, study finds
Americans using food stamps may have a lower risk of developing dementia, new research reveals. A 10-year study unveiled Wednesday at the world's largest dementia conference compared 1,100 Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP) to those who didn't receive the benefits. SNAP provides about 41million low-income Americans with money to buy groceries like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. It's also rumored to be on the chopping block as part of President Donald Trump 's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which passed earlier this month. Researchers involved in the new study found people with SNAP benefits had a 0.1 percent slower decline in cognitive function. While the figure seems small, this amounts to getting another two to three years of cognitive health back. And researchers suggested these additional years could stave off mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia, by up to a decade. The new study comes days after the groundbreaking US POINTER study found simple lifestyle changes like exercising and following the MIND diet could improve cognitive function. Linlin Da, lead study author and PhD candidate in health services research at the University of Georgia, Athens, said: 'For someone starting at a healthy cognitive score, this slower decline could delay reaching the threshold for mild cognitive impairment by nearly a decade. 'This suggests SNAP participation, or another similar nutrition support program, could significantly delay the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia, allowing people to preserve their ability to manage medications, finances and daily tasks longer. 'This ultimately supports greater independence and higher quality of life in older adulthood.' Dementia affects about 9million Americans and is on the rise, with experts suspecting it could strike 14million Americans by 2060. While much of this increase is likely due to a growing older population, as the disease most often affects those over 65, surging rates of chronic conditions like heart disease, obesity and diabetes have also been blamed. The new study, presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto, used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey of Americans over age 50. They compared 1,131 people enrolled in SNAP in 2010 to 1,216 people who were eligible for the program but not enrolled. The average age for each group was 63 and 66, respectively. The team measured participants' memory and executive function, the ability to plan and carry out tasks, every two years between 2010 and 2020 via phone or online interviews. While non-Hispanic white participants showed 0.1 percent slower cognitive decline, other races did not see the same results. Da said: 'At the same time, we discovered that this protective effect is not the same for everyone: non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic older adults did not benefit as much in cognitive functions compared to non-Hispanic white participants.' Black and Hispanic Americans have historically been prone to dementia, largely due to higher rates of conditions like diabetes and obesity, which induce harmful inflammation and damage blood vessels in areas of the brain responsible for memory. Dr Suhang Song, corresponding study author and assistant professor at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, said: 'We hope health care providers will see that potentially delaying cognitive impairment is another reason to help their patients-in-need secure access to food assistance.' The researchers did not specify why SNAP beneficiaries saw improvements, but it could be due to SNAP requiring participants to purchase brain-healthy foods like lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and dairy rather than alcohol or sugary foods. While the program itself allows for junk food, some states like Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Nebraska, Iowa, and Utah are working to prohibit the purchase of these with food stamps. People experiencing food insecurity who are not on SNAP, meanwhile, may be more likely to be obese or have other conditions tied to dementia, as junk foods tend to be cheaper. The study findings are in line with other research published at AAIC, including the US POINTER study, which looked at Americans who implemented diet and exercise changes into their routine over the course of two years. That team found people who followed a strict regimen of exercise and a MIND-style diet had better cognitive scores than those who followed a self-guided plan, though both groups benefitted. Dr Maria C Carrillo, Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead who was not involved in the new research, said: 'Research has shown that food insecurity can negatively impact cognitive function, and this is one of the first long-term studies to show that food assistance programs can positively impact cognition. 'Simple, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health and may even lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.'
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Price-to-rent ratio in 52 cities
Better to buy or rent? The price-to-rent ratio is a reference point that can help gauge affordability in any city - especially for people on the move. More specifically, the price-to-rent ratio can be helpful when looking at a certain area and deciding whether to sink your life savings into a home, or pay a landlord and wait to buy. SoFi shares the home price-to-rent ratio in some of the biggest U.S. cities. Key Points The price-to-rent ratio is a measure of whether it's more affordable to rent or buy a home in a particular is calculated by dividing the median home price by the annual rent.A price-to-rent ratio below 18 suggests that buying is more affordable, while a ratio above 18 indicates renting may be more price-to-rent ratio varies across cities, with some cities having ratios well above 18, in many cases above 25. Others come in at 18 and such as housing market conditions and local economic and environmental factors may influence the price-to-rent ratio in different cities. What Is the Price-to-Rent Ratio? The price-to-rent ratio compares the median home price and the median annual rent in a given area. (You'll remember that the median is the midpoint, where half the numbers are lower and half are higher.) To make sense of a city's price-to-rent ratio, here's a general idea of what the number suggests: A ratio of 1 to 15 typically indicates that it's more favorable to buy than rent in a given community.A ratio of 16 to 20 indicates that it's typically better to rent than buy.A ratio of 21 or more indicates that it's much better to rent than buy. As you can see, the ratios could be useful when considering whether to rent or buy. Investors also often look at the ratios before purchasing a rental property. The numbers may also be used as indicators of impending housing bubbles. A substantial increase in the ratio could mean that renting is becoming a much more attractive option in that specific housing market. The ratios may warp after wildfires or other natural disasters, which can cause housing shortages and migration of residents, as well as rent spikes. Research released in 2024 by the University of Georgia and the Brookings Institution demonstrated that a succession of environmental events can drive up local rents as much as 12% over a five-year subsequent period. If you're exploring different areas, it can be a good idea to estimate mortgage payments based on median home prices in the place where you hope to live. That way, you can determine if they're a cost you can reasonably afford to add to your budget on a monthly basis. Price-to-Rent Ratio by City Here are 52 popular metropolitan areas and their price-to-rent ratios. As of the third quarter of 2024, the median home sale price in the U.S. was $420,400, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported. Median sale price listed comes from Redfin as of the fourth quarter of 2024. Median rents listed come from the Zumper National Rent Report from January 2025, based on a one-bedroom apartment. Remember, as home prices and rents shift-over time or suddenly-so do the ratios. 1. San Francisco It's no secret that San Francisco housing prices are way up there. The median sale price was $1,350,000, and the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $3,160 per month (or $37,920 a year). That gives the hilly city a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 36. 2. San Jose, CA Golden State housing continues its pricey reputation in San Jose. The median sale price here was $1,455,000, and the city had a median one-bedroom rent of $32,640 annually ($2,720 a month), leading to a price-to-rent ratio of 45. 3. Seattle The Emerald City had a median sale price of $835,000. Meanwhile, the median annual rent for a one-bedroom was $23,400, for a price-to-rent ratio of around 36. 4. Los Angeles A median sale price of $1,010,000 and a median one-bedroom rent of $28,800 a year ($2,400 a month) shines a Hollywood light on renting, with a rent-to-price ratio of 35. 5. Long Beach, CA With a median home price of $855,000 and one-bedroom rent averaging $1,850 a month, Long Beach earned a ratio of 39. 6. Honolulu The ratio in the capital of Hawaii is a steamy 22, with a $570,000 median sale price and a median rent of $26,400 per year. 7. Oakland, CA Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, had a median sale price of $802,500 and median rent of $24,000 a year ($2,000 a month). This earned the location a price-to-rent ratio of 33. 8. Austin, Texas A hotbed for artists, musicians, and techies, Austin had a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 31. This was thanks to a median sale price of $550,000 and median annual rent of $18,000. 9. San Diego Hop back to Southern California beaches and "America's Finest City," where a median sale price of $931,000 and median rent of $28,800 a year led to a ratio of almost 32. 10. New York, N.Y. The median sale price here was $807,720 and median rent was $51,600 a year ($4,300 a month), which equates to a price-to-rent ratio of roughly 16. Of course, the city is composed of five boroughs: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island, and it's probable that most of the sales under $800,000 were not in Manhattan (where the median sale price was $1.2 million) or Brooklyn (where the median was $999,000). Just looking at Manhattan using the same annual average rent figure, the ratio looks more like 23. 11. Boston With a median sale price of $845,000 and median rent of $34,080 a year, Beantown had a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 25. 12. Portland, OR The midpoint of buying here of late was $490,000, compared with median rent of $17,400 per year, for a price-to-rent ratio of just over 28. 13. Tucson, AZ In Tucson, the median sale price of $340,000 and median annual rent of $10,920 came out to a ratio of 31. 14. Denver, CO The Mile High City logged a renter-leaning ratio of 28, thanks to a median sale price of $586,000 and median annual rent cost of $20,760. 15. Colorado Springs, CO With a median sale price of $465,000 and annual rent of $14,880, this city at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains had a recent price-to-rent ratio of 31. 16. Albuquerque, NM In the Southwest, Albuquerque heated up to a ratio of almost 31, based on a median home sale price of $350,000 and annual rent of $11,400. 17. Washington, DC The nation's capital is another pushpin on the map with a high cost of living. The median sale price of $699,000 compares with median rent of $27,600 annually ($2,300 a month), translating to a ratio of 25. 18. Mesa, AZ With a median sale price of $463,000 and median annual rent of $14,640, Mesa has a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 32. 19. Las Vegas, NV Sin City has reached a ratio of almost 31, based on a $444,000 median sale price vs. $14,400 in annual rent. 20. Phoenix, AZ Phoenix's price-to-rent ratio has revved up to 29, with a median home sale price of $450,000 and $15,360 in rent. 21. Raleigh, NC North Carolina's capital, the City of Oaks, logs a ratio of 30. This is based on a $460,000 median home sale price and median annual rent of $15,000. 22. Tulsa, OK Tulsa had a price-to-rent ratio of 19, with median annual rent of $12,000 and home sale prices at a median of $228,000. 23. Dallas, TX This sprawling city had a recent median sale price of $410,000 and median annual rent of $17,760, leading to a price-to-rent ratio of 23. 24. Sacramento, CA This Northern California city had a recent median sale price of $485,000 and median annual rent of $18,120, for a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 27. 25. Fresno, CA Fresno makes the list with a price-to-rent ratio of 22, based on median home sale prices of $374,750 and median annual rent of $16,680. 26. Oklahoma City, OK The capital of Oklahoma had one of the lower price-to-rent ratios until recent home price spikes. It logs a ratio of nearly 24 lately, based on a median sale price of $260,000 and median annual rent of $10,920. 27. Arlington, TX Back to the Lone Star State, this city between Fort Worth and Dallas has a price-to-rent ratio of 24. This is thanks to a median sales price of $320,000 and median annual rent of $13,200. 28. San Antonio, TX This Texas city southwest of Austin had a median sale price of $251,750 and median annual rent of $12,840, resulting in a price-to-rent ratio of close to 20. 29. El Paso, TX El Paso traded a low price-to-rent ratio for a higher one when home prices rose. It's at a 24, based on recent figures of a median sale price of $254,970 and median rent at $10,560 a year. 30. Omaha, NE With a median sale price of $277,000 and median annual rent of $13,920, Omaha has a lower home price-to-rent ratio than in recent years at 23. 31. Nashville, TN The first Tennessee city on this list is the Music City, with a rising price-to-rent ratio of 23. Nashville has a median sale price of $455,000 and a median annual rent of $19,680 ($1,640 per month). 32. Virginia Beach, VA The ratio here has nearly reached 20, based on a median home sale price of $376,000 and median rent of $19,200 per year. 33. Tampa, FL This major Sunshine State city has a price-to-rent ratio of 23, based on a median home sale price of $450,000 and median annual rent of $19,320. 34. Jacksonville, FL This east coast Florida city had a recent ratio of 22, based on a median sale price of $312,000 and median rent of $15,040 per year. 35. Charlotte, NC Charlotte's price-to-rent ratio of 23 arises from a median home sale price of $400,000 and median annual rent of $17,160. 36. Fort Worth, TX Panther City's price-to-rent ratio has crept up to 22, based on a median home sale price of $345,000 and median rent of $15,720 per year. 37. Houston, TX Houston, we have a number: It's a price-rent-ratio of 22. That's based on a median sale price of $339,370 and median annual rent of $15,600. 38. Louisville, KY Kentucky's largest city has a median home sale price of $255,000 and median annual rent of $12,240. That leaves Louisville with a price-to-rent ratio of almost 21. 39. Columbus, OH The only Ohio city on this list has a price-to-rent ratio of 19, due to a median sale price of $275,700 and median annual rent of $14,520. 40. Atlanta, GA Heading South, Atlanta has a median sale price of $400,000 and median annual rent of $19,080, for a price-to-rent ratio of 21. 41. Miami, FL Those looking to put down roots in this vibrant city will find a price-to-rent ratio of 20, based on a median home sale price of $635,000 and median rent of $32,280 annually. 42. Minneapolis, MN The Mini-Apple is sweeter on renting, with a ratio of 21. This is based on a median sale price of $344,000 and median annual rent of $16,200. 43. New Orleans, LA Next up is another charming southern city. New Orleans has a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 18, given a median sale price of $335,000 and median rent of $19,200 per year. 44. Kansas City, MO In this Show-Me State city, a median home value of $275,000 and median annual rent of $13,560 equate to a price-to-rent ratio of 20. 45. Chicago, IL The Windy City's almost 15 price-to-rent ratio is based on a $350,000 median home sale price and $23,760 median annual rent. 46. Memphis, TN Memphis logs a price-to-rent ratio of 13, with a median home sale price of $170,000 and median annual rent of $12,960. 47. Indianapolis, IN The ratio in this capital city drifted down to 17, thanks to a median home sale price of $243,450 and median annual rent of $14,160. 48. Philadelphia, PA This major East Coast city had a recent median sale price of $260,000 and median annual rent of $18,600, for a price-to-rent ratio of 14. 49. Baltimore, MD Charm City had a recent median home sale price of $224,000 and median annual rent of $15,840, resulting in a price-to-rent ratio of 14. 50. Newark, NJ Newark, anyone? The median sale price here is $510,000, with median rent at $1,750 a month (or $21,000 a year), leading to a ratio of 24. 51. Milwaukee, WI Milwaukee is hanging on as a city more favorable to homebuyers than renters, thanks to a price-to-rent ratio of 18. This Midwest city had a recent median sale price of $220,000 and median annual rent of $12,360. 52. Detroit, MI Detroit has seen a consistent rise in home sale prices, though the latest median sale price was a relatively low $97,200, compared with median annual rent of $12,600. This resulted in a price-to-rent ratio that is approaching 8. How to Calculate Price-to-Rent Ratio If you don't see your city on the list, rest assured that it's possible to calculate price-to-rent ratio yourself. To do so, you'll simply take the median home sale price in your area and divide it by median annual rent. Here's an example: Let's say the median rent in a city is $3,000 a month, and the median sale price is $1 million. You'd divide $1 million by $36,000 ($3,000 per month multiplied by 12, the number of months in the year). The result is a price-to-rent ratio of nearly 28. The Takeaway The price-to-rent ratio lends insight into whether a city is more favorable to buyers or renters. Usually in a range of 1 to 21-plus, the ratio is useful to house hunters, renters, and investors who want to get the lay of the land. No matter what your dream city's price-to-rent ratio, looking at the listings for homes for rent and for sale will tell you a lot about the market. Who knows, you might even happen on just what you wanted at an accessible price. This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Luca Urlando wins first career world title in 200m butterfly
Luca Urlando claimed his first world title and the first title for the American men at the World Championships in the 200m butterfly, becoming the first American man to win this event at a World Championship since Michael Phelps did in 2011. Urlando lowered his personal best by a half-second to 1:51.87, joining Phelps and Olympic gold medalists Kristof Milak and Leon Marchand as the only swimmers to break 1:52.00. For Urlando, this win is more than just a world title, it represents the adversity he has overcome. Nearly three years ago, Urlando had to be helped out of the pool after dislocating his shoulder for a third time in a three-year span. This injury came just one year after Urlando finished third in both the 100m and 200m butterfly at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, one place shy of qualifying for the Olympics. 'It has felt like a six-year process to get back to this moment,' Urlando said on Peacock. 'A lot of doubt, a lot of really hard times, a lot of things that people don't see on an everyday basis. So I kind of told myself post-surgery, if I could get through those next few months, nothing could really stop me. Obviously getting to do it on a world stage like this is just amazing.' Despite the absence of Olympic gold-medalist Marchand, who opted out of this event to focus on the 200m IM, and world-record holder Milak, who isn't competing in this year's competition, Urlando raced as the top seed in prelims, semifinals and finals, swimming three of his four fastest times in his career. The 23-year-old, who finished 17th in the same event at the 2024 Paris Olympics just 20 months after his injury, has had arguably the best year of his swimming career. He competed in his final collegiate season with the University of Georgia, where he won the NCAA title in the 200y butterfly with an American, NCAA, U.S. Open, SEC and school record time. A week later, he swam lifetime bests in the 100m and 200m butterfly at the Pro Swim Series in his hometown of Sacramento. He became the second-fastest American in history in the 200m fly, behind Phelps, dropping over a second from his previous best time from 2019. 'The belief that I can get back to a moment like this after all that adversity,' Urlando said. 'Just internal belief.' With the 2028 LA Olympics three years away, Urlando will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Giampaolo Urlando, who competed in three Olympics, including the 1984 LA Games, in the hammer throw. 'I hope to just build off more experiences like this,' Urlando said. 'It's a huge stepping stone for 2028. I have some new goals going forward, going to work through them with my coach and see how much I can get better at the little things. Just continue with that.' Nick Zaccardi, In other finals Wednesday, Australian Mollie O'Callaghan followed her 2024 Olympic title by winning a second world title in the 200m free. She clocked 1:53.48, distancing Li Bingjie of China by 1.04. Claire Weinstein, an 18-year-old American, took bronze after personal bests in the semis and final. It's her first individual medal at a major international long-course meet. Weinstein was one of the Americans who dealt with a stomach bug leading up to worlds. 'A week ago, I didn't know if I was going to be able to swim in this meet,' she said on Peacock. Ahmed Jaouadi extended Tunisia's distance tradition by taking the 800m free in 7:36.88, the third-fastest time in history. He beat a field that included the last two Olympic gold medalists — American Bobby Finke (fourth) and Ireland's Daniel Wiffen (eighth). Finke said he was happy to make the final and that his personal goals were derailed by the stomach bug, according to NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach. Wiffen was set back last month by appendicitis. Neutral Athletes B won the mixed-gender medley relay. The U.S., which broke the world record at the Olympics, missed the world final after placing 10th in the preliminary heats. In semifinal action, Jack Alexy broke the American record in the 100m free. He swam 46.81, taking down Caeleb Dressel's record of 46.96 from 2019. China's Pan Zhanle, who won the Olympic title in a world record (46.40), did not make this final after placing 10th overall in the semis. Worlds continue through Sunday with preliminary heats at 10 p.m. ET and finals at 7 a.m., live on Peacock. Thursday's finals are expected to feature Paris Olympic gold medalists Leon Marchand of France in the 200m individual medley and Summer McIntosh of Canada in the 200m fly, plus Katie Ledecky in the 4x200m free relay.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Straka, Sigg take the crown in Jani-King's 2025 Spring Clean Challenge
What started as a clever brand activation has quickly matured into one of the most buzzworthy campaigns on the PGA Tour. The 2025 Jani-King Spring Clean Challenge wrapped up this spring with Team Big Dawgs, featuring one of golf's top competitors, Sepp Straka, alongside his former college teammate at the University of Georgia, Greyson Sigg, clinching the top spot. Over the season-long contest, the duo earned top honors among a competitive field of pros and their caddies. Now in its second year, the Spring Clean Challenge isn't just about sponsor exposure, it's about bringing some extra fun and cash incentives to the grind of Tour life. Organized around a select set of 10 PGA Tour events, including two majors and two signature events, the challenge rewards performance and consistency. This year, bonus payouts totaling $137,500 were distributed based on FedEx Cup points earned by each team across the stretch. Each team was anchored by two pros and their caddies. The latter proudly displayed the bright green Jani-King golf towel, a now well-known symbol of the campaign. The towel represents more than just commercial cleaning however, it has become a signifier of fresh starts, professionalism and performance. This year's featured teams included: The challenge was hosted by former Tour pro and current golf media personality Colt Knost, who brought his signature humor and insider insight to the campaign. A clean sweep for the Big Dawgs It was consistency and clutch play that separated Straka and Sigg from the pack. With strong performances throughout the designated events, they took home the win, each earning a $30,000 bonus, with their caddies receiving $5,000 each and custom trophies. It also marked Duane Bock's second challenge victory, reinforcing his role as a Jani-King towel standard-bearer on the Tour. The business behind the towel Jani-King, a global leader in commercial cleaning services, continues to innovate in the sponsorship space by turning the spotlight not just on the pros, but on the often-unsung heroes of the Tour: the caddies. The Spring Clean Challenge celebrates the teamwork, resilience and behind-the-scenes dedication that drive winning results. As Jani-King looks ahead to future campaigns, the towel is quickly becoming a staple of the Tour, offering a subtle reminder that great things happen when everything is cleaned up and dialed in. To learn more about how Jani-King innovates on and off the course, visit
