Adolescent Health Results

Illustration of the University of Michigan School of Public Health

On the Heights: February 2026

February highlights include faculty expertise on AI-driven cancer research, youth violence prevention, farmworker housing policy, epigenetics and ultra-processed foods, and a new state advisory appointment.

A head and shoulders photo of Asari Offiong

M-PACT Scholar brings youth-centered research home

Q&A with University of Michigan researcher Asari Offiong on adolescent health and community-based participatory research

Asari Offiong is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity at Michigan Public Health, where she conducts community-based research. As an M-PACT Scholar, Her research centers on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, integrating reproductive justice and youth-centered perspectives to understand how young people navigate complex health decisions.

A photo of Kristi Gamarel on purple painted background

Kristi Gamarel wins NIH Award for Sexual & Gender Minority Research

Kristi Gamarel, associate chair and associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity, has been awarded the 2024 National Institutes of Health Sexual & Gender Minority Mid-Career Investigator Award. Her research addresses health inequities among LGBTQ+ communities in the context of HIV, mental health, substance use, and healthcare access.

Joyce Lee

Office Hours: Joyce Lee's Weight Loss Drug Research

Joyce Lee published new research on the increased use of weight loss drugs originally used to treat diabetes, Wegovy and Ozempic, among adolescents. She explains factors causing this rise and the need for data on long-term safety and effectiveness.

A person holds a red HIV awareness ribbon in their right hand.

Researchers evaluating program aimed at HIV prevention and care for trans youth of color

Q&A with Kristi Gamarel and Sari Reisner

Kristi Gamarel and Sari Reisner are leading an evaluation of a program called LEAP (Legal, Economic, and Affirming Peer Support) as part of the NIH-funded Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV Interventions. LEAP addresses social factors that have been linked to inequities in HIV prevention and care outcomes for trans youth of color.