Health Behavior and Health Education

Photo of the School of Public Health lobby

The power of public health storytelling

William D. Lopez, Marcus R. Andrews, Janae N. Best, & Meghann Lewis

Public health is a field of stories. So we, as public health professionals, have a responsibility to be good storytellers. We teach a class that covers skills we need to be successful health communicators. We chose some of our favorite public health stories from this semester to share with you.

John Harvey Kellogg. , ca. 1914. July 17. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002715785/.

"To Rid Society of Imbeciles": The Impact of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg's Stand for Eugenics

Elizabeth Stout

When people think of eugenics, what most often comes to mind is Hitler’s persecution of Jews during World War II, but the American eugenics movement began significantly before and a doctor in Michigan played a significant role. Understanding the history of eugenics in the United States is important, and can help us be more vigilant in ensuring that a similar movement does not start in the future.

Photo of Cindi Thronson standing on a path at the Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Take a moment for yourself: Tips for mental wellbeing

Cindi Thronson

Mental health is incredibly important for students, and college students have a tendency of prioritizing everything else above their mental health. Cindi Thronson, a master’s student in Health Behavior and Health Education and a Wellness Coach with the University of Michigan’s Wolverine Wellness, shares some tips for improving your mental wellbeing.