Health Disparities

A fieldworker holds a box of freshly harvested strawberries

Pesticide Exposure May Be a Risk Factor for Poor Sleep Health

Astrid Zamora

Nutritional Sciences PhD candidate Astrid Zamora has vivid memories of her Abuela coming home from working in the fields, experiencing intense pain, burning sensations, and trouble breathing. These ailments were the result of long-term exposure to pesticides. Now, an extensive body of research shows that occupational exposure to pesticides is detrimental to human health, including sleep health. Zamora explores two studies she was involved in exploring the links between pesticide exposure and poor sleep health.

A collage of photos in the shape of a heart.

Reducing COVID-19 Disparities in Michigan with MICEAL

Haley Crimmins

The Michigan Community-Engaged Alliance (MICEAL) is working to address the gap of vaccine and health inequities in Latinx and Black populations in four Michigan counties. Health Behavior and Health Education master's student Haley Crimmins details MICEAL's work.

Urbanscape or skyline of Detroit's downtown area

Preventing Lead Exposure in Detroit's Children

Haley Henry

Parental action can help mitigate the risks of lead exposure. But drastic policy changes are needed in Detroit to stop children from facing negative health and nutritional outcomes associated with lead exposure.

College Street, North Kolkata, India. Photo by Pratiti Ghosh.

Where Science Meets Humanity: A Story of Suffering and Love in India

Mousumi Banerjee

India’s coronavirus problem is everyone’s problem. When a virus ravages one country this badly, it will affect others—and well beyond the spread of a disease. We must and will act on the responsibilities we have as a global community because disease is disease, love is love, and both are highly infectious.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan

Lessons from a Pandemic: Leading with Science

Joneigh Khaldun, BS ’02

Every day is different for Joneigh Khaldun, who leads the state of Michigan’s response to the pandemic and many other public health initiatives. Khaldun grew up in Michigan, received medical training on the east coast, and returned to her home state to do what she always wanted to do—support and improve the health of Michigan communities.

Tonya Allen, President of the McKnight Foundation, alum of the University of Michigan School of Public Health

Resilient Leadership in a Dynamic World

Tonya Allen, BA '94, MPH/MSW '96

From rewriting rules to enabling others to succeed, Tonya Allen thinks leadership is not about an individual person doing a great thing but about an environment where everyone wins. In Detroit and now Minneapolis, Allen keeps putting herself out there so that entire communities can thrive.