Research

Cherries

Michigan's thousands of farmworkers are unprotected, poorly paid, uncounted and often exploited

By Lisbeth Iglesias-Ríos and Alexis Handal

In this article from The Conversation, Michigan Public Health researchers highlight the reality of precarious work and exploitative labor practices for Michigan’s farmworkers. Researchers Lisbeth Iglesias-Ríos and Alexis Handal lead the Michigan Farmworker Project, an academic collaboration with community and state organizations to increase understanding of the social, labor and housing situation of farmworkers in the state.

An illustration of a person kayaking on water, with the word

The power of purpose: How our deepest intentions shape our health

Vic Strecher

Drawing from personal loss and professional research, Michigan Public Health professor Vic Strecher found that a strong sense of purpose can lead to a longer life, with improved emotional wellbeing, and even changes in gene expression leading to physical improvements.

Health care worker taking a patient's blood pressure in a clinic

Should I take the COVID vaccine as a minority?

Anita Pandit, MS ’16

How are managing mental health and receiving a COVID vaccine similar? They both require minorities to have some level of trust in health sciences and the people administering their health care. Alum Anita Pandit walks us through the good and the bad reasons not getting a vaccine—and why she will be getting one.

Black patient checking blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter

Black People Are Three Times More Likely to Experience Pulse Oximeter Errors

Susan Dorr Goold, Michael Sjoding, and Thomas Valley

Pulse oximeters can noninvasively measure blood oxygen levels, a vital biomarker for many. But these devices are imperfect and provide inaccurate readings especially for Black patients. Why are these devices flawed, and how can we improve the technology?