Public health continues to deliver promising results about the future of our health. For more than 80 years, the University of Michigan School of Public Health has been at the center of innovation. Now discoveries in public health research are leading to better health treatments and bringing us closer than ever to cures for some of the world's most challenging health issues. These breakthroughs help everyone across the world enjoy healthier lives and maximize our potential. Remember, good news starts from great research, so let's keep going!

Environmental health risks are everywhere, but they're often invisible until they start affecting entire communities. University of Michigan School of Public Health researcher Devon Payne-Sturges reveals how environmental factors impact different groups—from children to farmworkers—and why mapping these exposures is crucial for protecting public health. When neighborhoods show unusual patterns of breathing problems or developmental issues, Payne-Sturges' research helps identify the environmental causes behind these health disparities. Her work creates detailed maps of environmental exposures to pinpoint which communities face the greatest risks for illness and disease. By understanding these complex relationships between environment and health, we can develop targeted solutions at individual, community, and policy levels. Environmental health research isn't just about studying pollution—it's about building healthier communities where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Sharon Kardia, Senior Associate Dean for Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, sits down with Scott L. Greer (Health Management & Policy) to make sense of the rapid-fire changes reshaping U.S. health care—and what they could mean for all of us. Scott breaks down the “public–private joint venture” at the heart of the U.S. system, why so much health policy happens through budgets (not headlines), and how major funding shifts can ripple into Medicaid/CHIP coverage, ACA affordability, medical debt, emergency department overload, and hospital stability—especially for rural communities in Michigan and beyond. They also dive into vaccination policy and public trust: what happens when scientific advisory systems are politicized, why measles is a warning light for a failing public health infrastructure, and what new Pew data suggests about changing confidence in childhood vaccines. Along the way, they connect the dots between lived experiences in health care, declining trust, and the growth of “wellness” skepticism. Finally, Scott offers a hard truth—and a cautious silver lining: you can’t simply rewind the system, but states, professional associations, insurers, and civil society still have real power to lead when federal leadership falters.

Celebrate the joy and camaraderie of the our online MPH cohort at their 2024 graduation gathering! Share in heartwarming moments as online MPH graduates meet face-to-face for the first time at a special breakfast reception, marking the culmination of their two-year journey together. Witness the shared smiles, hugs, and the unforgettable sense of achievement for our online graduate students.