Chronic Disease

A fieldworker holds a box of freshly harvested strawberries

Pesticide Exposure May Be a Risk Factor for Poor Sleep Health

Astrid Zamora

Nutritional Sciences PhD candidate Astrid Zamora has vivid memories of her Abuela coming home from working in the fields, experiencing intense pain, burning sensations, and trouble breathing. These ailments were the result of long-term exposure to pesticides. Now, an extensive body of research shows that occupational exposure to pesticides is detrimental to human health, including sleep health. Zamora explores two studies she was involved in exploring the links between pesticide exposure and poor sleep health.

Microscopic image of malaria parasites infecting blood cells

The Risk of Neglecting Malaria in the Age of COVID

Jordan Silar, Leah King, Stephanie Ganzi, and Frass Ahmed

For years, high income countries have directed resources to help fight malaria in developing nations. As the COVID-19 pandemic becomes a major health concern for developed nations, what might this mean for the future of malaria-prevention efforts in low-income countries?

A provider goes over a health resource with a patient or parent

Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Pediatric Settings

Phoebe Trout, Rebeccah Sokol, Julia Ammer, Layla S. Mohammed, Rachel Varisco, Sara F. Stein, and Alison L. Miller

Early screening and intervention, including in the doctor’s office, can help address health inequities and mitigate their impact. The negative effects of childhood adversity extend to a variety of health outcomes. Screening promotes well-being by ensuring families have the resources they need to maintain a healthy environment for their child.

Primary care physician goes over diagnosis and medications with a patient

Go See the Doc: The Battle to Take Back Primary Care

Kayla Flewelling and Utibe Effiong

Your primary care provider is in a unique position to help you stay healthy, in large part by identifying potential disease threats and helping you prevent their onset. So what is keeping so many Americans out of their primary care doctor’s exam rooms?

Hands holding a mask

Racism: The Root Cause of COVID-19 Disparities in Washtenaw County

Jeremiah Simon

Black residents of Washtenaw County, like elsewhere in Michigan, have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In the fight to gain racial justice in the US, it is critical that we examine how racism contributes to health inequities right here in our backyard.