Epidemic

A graphic image of the world map with hotspot locations for a pandemic.

New $13.8M Center Will Study Infectious Disease, Pandemic Preparedness

To better prepare for future pandemics, the Biosciences Initiative is awarding $13.8 million over five years to the new Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats, maximizing the University of Michigan's breadth of scientific expertise and collaboration across campus. Michigan Public Health professor of Epidemiology, Aubree Gordon, will lead the center.

Graphic of a coronavirus

Counties with Intervention Measures, More Hospitals Experienced Fewer COVID-19 Deaths

New Research from Jess Millar

Counties that banned in-person religious gatherings and those with a greater number of hospitals per capita were associated with a decreased case-fatality rate of COVID-19 during the pandemic's first wave, according to a new University of Michigan study. Counties with high prevalence of asthma and a greater concentration of people over 65 were linked to higher fatality rates, the analysis showed.

Two cigarettes sit in a black ashtray on a wood surface.

Menthol Ban Would Save 650,000 Lives in the Next 40 Years

New research from the Center for the Assessment of Tobacco Regulations

Banning menthol flavors in cigarettes could reduce smoking by 15% by having smokers giving up tobacco products altogether or switching to e-cigarettes and other nicotine vaping products—avoiding 16,250 tobacco-related deaths per year by 2060, according to a new University of Michigan study.