University of Michigan School of Public Health

10/16/2026

More than 90 percent of students in the US will participate in an active shooter drill this year. But creating safer schools requires more than preparing students for the worst.

Justin Heinze, associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, researches how schools can prevent violence and build safe, supportive environments where every student can thrive.

“School communities deserve to feel secure and focus on learning—not just survival.”

10/14/2026

Could where you live affect your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease?

Dementia risk varies around the world, and University of Michigan researchers want to understand why.

With $3.2 million in federal funding, a University of Michigan School of Public Health-led team will compare memory and thinking test data from older adults in 20 countries.

They'll investigate how education, heart health, depression, social isolation and gender inequality may influence dementia risk—and whether those factors have different effects depending on where people live.

The goal? Identify prevention strategies that could help more people maintain their brain health as they age.

Link in first comment 👇

10/14/2026

New state laws often tell school districts to restrict phones in class, but restriction policies vary. Some schools are adopting all-day restrictions. Others are limiting phones during class time. Youth Policy Lab co-director Brian Jacob is examining the issue in two studies: one national and one in Michigan.

“The key issue is no longer simply whether schools should restrict phones, but which restrictions are most effective for different student and school contexts, how to implement them well, and what unintended effects may follow,” said Jacob.

Read more about his research on cellphone bans in the latest edition of State & Hill: https://myumi.ch/VDgDx

University of Michigan School of Public Health

10/13/2026

Why does the risk of disease vary depending on where you live?

A research team led by the University of Michigan School of Public Health will analyze standardized memory and thinking-test data from older adults in 20 countries. The team will explore how education, heart health, social isolation, depression and gender inequality shape cognitive decline and dementia risk around the world.

The five-year project, led by Lindsay Kobayashi, associate professor of Epidemiology and Global Public Health, is supported by a $3.2 million grant from the National Institute on Aging - NIH at the Institutes of Health.

By identifying which risk factors matter most in different countries, the research could help governments and health systems focus on prevention strategies most likely to delay or reduce dementia.

“Because risk factors and social conditions differ so much from one country to another, comparing them can show us which prevention strategies may matter the most, and where,” Kobayashi said.

Read more: https://myumi.ch/X8QWn

A Michigan Public Health study led by Lindsay Kobayashi will compare memory and thinking data from older adults in 20 countries to learn why dementia risk differs worldwide and which prevention strategies matter most where.

10/13/2026

How can food-assistance programs uphold dignity and promote equitable access amid policy threats?

Join Kate Bauer, professor of nutritional sciences at Michigan Public Health and director of U-M's new Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Policy, in conversation with Taylor Moore, director of Food Rescue at Goodwill Northern Michigan.

📅 Friday, Oct. 30
Designing for Dignity: Strengthening Food Assistance Amid Policy Threats

More info: link in comments below!

Presented by U-M Poverty Solutions and cosponsored by Michigan Public Health and the Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Policy.

10/13/2026

"If they happen to submit a wrong form, they may never hear about it until they're ultimately kicked off the program," University of Michigan School of Public Health's Kate Bauer said to the Detroit Free Press -

New work requirements and paperwork are making it harder for people to keep their food assistance benefits.

10/12/2026

The University of Michigan Institute for Fi***rm Injury Prevention has received $11.2 million in federal funding for seven projects addressing critical topics including secure fi***rm storage, youth mortality, violence prevention and digital health interventions.

The interdisciplinary institute is directed by Patrick Carter, Professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Professor of Emergency Medicine in the University of Michigan Medical School.

The new funding also supports a national study led by Michigan Public Health researchers Kristi Gamarel and Sari Reisner. Their team will follow adults at increased risk of violence to better understand the relationships among violence exposure, substance use, perceived safety and behavioral health.

Read more about the seven projects - link in comment section below.

***rmInjuryPrevention

10/11/2026

Congratulations to Matthew Boulton, who was recently the recipient of the University of Michigan President’s Award for Leadership in International Education in the Distinguished Service category!

In more than 33 years at U-M, Boulton has transformed opportunities for students and strengthened community-led global health partnerships. He currently serves as the Pearl L. Kendrick Collegiate Professor of Global Public Health, professor of epidemiology and senior associate dean for global public health

Under his leadership, Michigan Public Health has supported 356 master’s students completing internships across 76 countries and provided biostatistical training to more than 400 international partners.

Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary commitment to accessible, sustainable and collaborative global public health education.

10/11/2026

How can food-assistance programs uphold dignity and promote equitable access amid policy threats?

Join Kate Bauer, professor of nutritional sciences at Michigan Public Health and director of U-M’s new Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Policy, in conversation with Taylor Moore, director of Food Rescue at Goodwill Northern Michigan.

📅 Friday, Oct. 30
Designing for Dignity: Strengthening Food Assistance Amid Policy Threats

More info: link in comments below!

Presented by U-M Poverty Solutions and cosponsored by Michigan Public Health and the Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health Policy.

10/09/2026

More than 90 percent of students in the US will participate in an active shooter drill this year. But creating safer schools requires more than preparing students for the worst.

Justin Heinze, associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, researches how schools can prevent violence and build safe, supportive environments where every student can thrive.

“School communities deserve to feel secure and focus on learning—not just survival.”

Learn more about Justin Heinze and how Michigan Public Health researchers are protecting the health of all: https://myumi.ch/39rXD