Health Care Results

Understanding rural America's health crisis

Health policy researcher shares journey to public health, where he sees hope for the future

University of Michigan public health researcher Michael Shepherd examines rural healthcare disparities, hospital closures, Medicaid policy and growing insurance gaps across America. Drawing on his Kentucky roots and academic research, Shepherd explains why rural hospitals struggle, how closures devastate communities and where telehealth and mobile care offer hope for patients.

University of Michigan biostatistics researcher turns complex health data into better treatment decisions

Honored with the 2026 Excellence in Research Award, Donglin Zeng develops tools that help clinicians identify more effective treatments for individual patients and guide public health decisions

University of Michigan biostatistician Donglin Zeng transforms complex health data into precision medicine tools that help clinicians personalize treatments and improve public health decisions. Honored with the 2026 Excellence in Research Award, his work blends statistics, machine learning and patient care to advance evidence-based medicine, vaccine research and healthier outcomes.

On the Heights: July 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.

New dean brings collaborative global health leadership to Michigan Public Health

Dr. Charles B. Holmes, MPH ’95, brings decades of experience in infectious disease, policy and global partnerships to lead the school at a critical time

Dr. Charles B. Holmes, MPH ’95, was appointed dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, bringing global health leadership in infectious disease, policy, HIV prevention, tuberculosis vaccine access and community partnerships. His collaborative approach emphasizes scientific rigor, trust, health equity and preparing future public health leaders for impact.

Paula Lantz retires from the University of Michigan

During her 28-year tenure, Lantz taught and mentored more than 3,000 students and postdoctoral fellows and led major policy-relevant research initiatives.

Paula Lantz, whose work has helped shape national conversations about social determinants of health, will retire from the University of Michigan on May 31, 2026.

Long-term opioid prescribing fell, but millions still receive extended opioid therapy, study finds

In 2023, about 4.2 million U.S. patients had an active long-term opioid therapy episode, according to a JAMA research letter led by University of Michigan researchers.

Long-term opioid prescribing has declined over the past decade, but co-prescribing patterns have shifted and the patient population has aged — raising new questions about chronic pain management in the U.S.