General Epidemiology

Belinda Needham, Associate Professor and Chair of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health

The Social Side of Disease and Disease Prevention

Belinda Needham

Socioeconomic status, overcrowding, institutional racism, political partisanship, and global economic inequality are all social factors that determine the disease risk for individuals and populations. And understanding those factors from all angles—from biology to sociology—can help us reduce that risk.

wedding ceremony

Essential "I Do's": Epidemiology Alums Marry in Hospital During Pandemic

Jen Andonian, MPH ‘15 and Matt Shearer, MPH ‘14

Two epidemiology alums found love here on campus while earning their master’s degrees. When their wedding plans are interrupted by a global pandemic, their community of health colleagues help them get married in a unique ceremony fit for these hardworking frontline heroes.

Brooke Callaghan

Inspired by Adversity to Create Better Health through Food

Brooke Callaghan

Inspired by her own brush with food insecurity, master's student Brooke Callaghan has committed her education, and her own personal time, to improving food access and trying to combat health risks associated malnutrition.

Rachel Jantz

Never Lose Sight of the People behind the Data

Rachel Jantz, MPH ’14

Rachel Jantz has wanted to care for people in her community since she was a child. She discovered in college that she loves data. Public health, specifically epidemiology, brought those loves together for her. As an opioids epidemiologist in Michigan, she works to connect human experiences and data to help people stay healthy.