On the Heights: July 2026

July 28, 2026

Stay informed with the latest from the University of Michigan School of Public Health community in our monthly digest. Faculty expertise in action, new research, policy advocacy, and community engagement highlight our continued commitment to advancing public health and creating positive change.

Policy impact & advocacy

U-M experts discuss recent housing bill

Roshanak Mehdipanah, director of the Housing Solutions for Health Equity initiative and associate professor of Health Behavior and Health Equity, was tapped to comment as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act moved toward becoming law. “Affordable housing is foundational to population health,” Mehdipanah said. “Communities with greater access to stable housing tend to experience better health outcomes, while housing instability contributes to chronic stress, poor health and widening inequities.” She noted the legislation won’t solve the housing crisis on its own but represents an important step toward treating housing access as a health investment.

Public health researchers comment on wildfires

As wildfire smoke drifted across the region this summer, several faculty stepped up as go-to sources on air quality and health. Jennifer Head and Stuart Batterman were featured in a Michigan News advisory, and Batterman also shared guidance on DIY air purifiers with Planet Detroit. Sara Adar spoke with Live Science about the health risks of smoke exposure, and Devon Payne-Sturges joined Michigan Public’s Stateside for a radio interview on the topic.

Paul Fleming featured on ASPPH podcast

Paul Fleming joined the ASPPH IDEA Exchange podcast for an episode on public health, prevention, and the power of writing, exploring how storytelling and clear communication can shape policy, engage communities, and inspire action.

Faculty expertise in the media

Joe Eisenberg in high demand on cyclosporiasis outbreak

Joe Eisenberg has been a leading voice on the recent cyclosporiasis outbreak, sharing his expertise with the Detroit Free Press, Vox, and the New Yorker.

Health policy researcher discusses Michigan rural hospitals in television interview

Michael Shepherd spoke with WDIV Detroit about the pressures facing rural Michigan hospitals. He was also featured in the Milbank Quarterly on the same topic.

Emily Martin on CDC Grand Rounds panel

Emily Martin joined a CDC Public Health Grand Rounds panel on vaccine effectiveness, sharing her expertise with a national public health audience.

Research highlights

Michigan's aging brains need more protection, poll shows

Michiganders over age 50 want to prevent dementia, but many don’t know everyday actions are very important for preserving brain health, according to findings from the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging, based at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

Nutrition paper named JNEB Best GEM finalist

A recent publication led by Nutritional Sciences associate professor Jennifer Garner was named a 2025 Best GEM (Great Educational Material) finalist by the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Garner and colleagues share the design and evaluation of a culinary literacy curriculum, Cooking Matters for Diabetes, tailored to support individuals facing both Type 2 diabetes and food insecurity. This honor was recognized at the 2026 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior annual meeting where Dr. Garner also started her term as the Society's Vice President.

New framework centers Asian/American LGBTQ+ health equity

James Huynh, assistant professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy, introduced the Asian/American LGBTQ+ Migration and Health Equity (AQMHE) Framework in a recent Social Science & Medicine article. The framework connects histories of colonialism and migration to contemporary social determinants of health, with an emphasis on intergenerational care and resistance among an often overlooked population.

New study examines puberty blockers and youth mental health

A JAMA Network Open paper co-authored by Epidemiology professor Sari Reisner looked at years of insurance claims data to see how common mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors are among transgender youths compared with cisgender youths, and whether puberty blockers made a difference. Transgender youths were diagnosed with both at much higher rates than cisgender youths. But among transgender youths, those who were prescribed puberty blockers had lower rates of both compared with transgender youths who weren't. The paper drew coverage in two separate MedPage Today roundups, in endocrinology and psychiatry.

Biostatistics researchers publish paper in Science

A team led by Peter Orchard, a University of Michigan researcher in computational medicine and bioinformatics, analyzed genetic and gene activity data from more than 14,000 samples collected through the NHLBI's Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) program to help pinpoint which genes are affected by disease-linked DNA variants. Because the dataset was larger and more genetically diverse than past studies, the team explained the biology behind more than 10,000 previously unexplained genetic signals tied to over 160 health traits. Michigan Public Health biostatistics faculty Thomas Blackwell, Jiongming Wang, Sebastian Zöllner, Goncalo Abecasis, Albert Smith, Laura Scott, and Stephen Parker all contributed to the study.

Honors, fellowships & appointments

Kate Bauer receives the Xavier Pi-Sunyer Award

Kate Bauer was awarded the 2026 Xavier Pi-Sunyer Award from The Obesity Society, recognizing her contributions to the field.

Kelley Kidwell named 2026-27 Academic Leadership Program fellow

Kelley Kidwell was chosen as a 2026-27 Academic Leadership Program fellow in the Big Ten Academic Alliance.

Tipirneni picked for prestigious health policy fellowship

Renuka Tipirneni, an associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School with a joint appointment in Health Management and Policy at Michigan Public Health, was selected as one of eight Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows for 2026-2027. Starting in September, she'll spend a year in Washington, D.C., advising federal policymakers, building on her career studying how Medicaid and Medicare decisions affect disadvantaged patients.