New MSU Research Sheds Light on Impact and Bias of Voter Purging in Michigan

In recent years, some states have prioritized purging their voter rolls of those who have passed away or moved out of state. During election season, there is often increased discussion about the necessity and impact of these actions. Voter purging can be an important step for creating election integrity, but others have raised concerns about how the process is conducted and who it targets.

How Can Adults Help Prevent Youth Suicide?

Warning: This story talks about suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call, text or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You matter. You are important.

Crystal Cederna is an associate professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She has worked with more than 4,000 youth patients and families and sees a clear need for preventive mental health. Here, she shares insight about how parents and caring adults can help tweens and teens who may be at risk for suicide.

Can Nature-Based Interventions Positively Impact the Mental Health of Students of Color?

There’s widespread evidence that anxiety is growing and mental health is declining among people ages 18 to 24. We also know that the number of people — especially students of color — in this age group who are seeking mental health care has declined since the start of the pandemic.

Meet the 2024 Flint Spartan Scholars

Michigan State University is excited to award three Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarships for 2024. Congratulations to Sydnie Wiederman, April LaGrone, and Candace Whitfield as the recipients full and partial scholarships for 2024. The scholarship has been awarded to incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) students who live or work in the greater Flint community for three consecutive years.

The Expansion of Lyme Disease in Michigan: Climate Change’s Hidden Toll on Public Health

As the realities of climate change become increasingly impossible to ignore, its effects are proving to be far more wide-reaching than previously imagined. One of the less publicized but deeply concerning consequences of climate change is the expanding prevalence of Lyme disease-bearing ticks in Michigan. 

Six Tips for Simplifying Your Public Health Communications

Here’s a fun conversation starter: Ask someone to explain the most complicated thing about their job or hobby in a single, easy-to-understand sentence.

For many people, especially those of us in health and other science-related fields, responding to this question can be daunting. How do you distill years of work or an immensely technical topic into a meaningful, public-friendly message?

A Spartan Transforming Public Health

Not all public health researchers are fortunate enough to help build an academic department from the ground up, let alone have the full backing and partnership of community members along the way. But Jennifer Johnson is among those lucky few. At Michigan State University, she's part of a public health department that is fast becoming a national model for community-based participatory research and implementation that’s making a profound impact on the health of Michigan residents.

Global Insights, Local Impact: How Cultural Competence Shapes Public Health Strategies

Cultural competence is more than just a buzzword; it’s the essential skill of understanding, appreciating, and effectively interacting with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. But why is this so crucial for public health practitioners? Simply put, cultural competence ensures that health initiatives are not only respectful and relevant but also finely tuned to the unique needs of every community, paving the way for better health outcomes and greater social equity.

Gayle Shipp Awarded Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Scholars for Action Grant

Gayle Shipp, PhD, RD, assistant professor in the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, has been awarded a prestigious grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Scholars for Action (HES4A).

Making Long-Lasting Memories in Ghana

The Public Health Abroad in Ghana program brings Master of Public Health (MPH) students to Ghana for three weeks to explore quantitative and qualitative research methods for assessing community health. MPH student Andrew Davis writes about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and reflects on traveling abroad for the first time, collaborating with community members, and gaining real-life public health experiences.

College of Human Medicine Receives State Funding for Academic and Community Programming

Michigan State University is receiving $32.225 million in state funding for eight projects and programming, three of which are College of Human Medicine initiatives.

The announcement follows Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing the state’s fiscal 2024-25 budget into law Wednesday. See full story on MSUToday.

Supporting Neurotechnology Research Participants

As a neuroethics research assistant at Michigan State University's (MSU) Department of Medicine, Master of Public Health (MPH) student Arynn De Leeuw uses analytical skills to conduct community-based participatory research. The Canadian native recently had the opportunity to present her work at a national academic conference.