On the Heights: April 2025
Departmental news, research highlights, community achievements, and more to help you stay connected with the Michigan Public Health community.
News
Michigan Public Health celebrates faculty, staff, students for excellence
Students, faculty and staff from the University of Michigan School of Public Health were commended during the fourth annual Public Health Honors on April 23. The event, held at the Rogel Ballroom in the Michigan Union, recognized the outstanding efforts and achievements of individuals who have exceeded expectations in the areas of public health research, education, community service and public engagement.
Drug that treats flu shows additional benefit of protecting close contacts from infection
Newly published findings of global drug trial show promise for preventing avian flu transmission
One dose of the antiviral baloxavir marboxil lowers the chance of transmitting the influenza virus to family members by about 30%, according to new research in the New England Journal of Medicine from University of Michigan researchers.
Michigan Health Equity Challenge announces winners of second annual competition
Three student-led proposals addressing rural healthcare access, Parkinson’s disease care, and water quality monitoring have emerged as winners in the University of Michigan’s Michigan Health Equity Challenge.
Biostatisticians use machine learning approach to improve risk prediction for recurrent health events
"Random forest" algorithm outperforms traditional methods for predicting patient flare-ups, even with incomplete medical histories
A new machine learning approach developed by University of Michigan School of Public Health researchers better predicts when patients might experience recurring health events like disease flare-ups or hospitalizations, even when patient follow-up data is incomplete.
Investing in COVID-19 vaccination more than paid off for US
The national vaccine strategy paid for itself after just one year, according to a study led by University of Michigan researchers. The United States prevented far more in medical spending and lost productivity than it spent on testing, buying and delivering the 2021 vaccines.