Research impact Results

Restriction vs. incentives: The complex reality of SNAP food policies

U-M expert: SNAP food restrictions don't improve health outcomes, while incentive programs show promise

Several states are considering restricting SNAP benefit purchases for soda and certain products like chips and candy. Michigan Public Health professor and researcher Kate Bauer explains why such restrictions fail to improve health outcomes while increasing stigma, and offers evidence-based alternatives that preserve dignity for recipients.

HIV risk decreases in transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, U-M study says

Overall, the study, published in The Lancet HIV journal, found that hormone therapy for patients receiving medical care to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity improved all HIV-related health outcomes for transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people.

A ripple effect of cutting global vaccine programs

Q&A with Abram Wagner

Epidemiologist Abram Wagner discusses why US funding for global vaccination programs benefits Americans through job creation, disease prevention, and economic stability, while building international goodwill and protecting vulnerable populations worldwide.

Abnormal menstrual bleeding, a likely culprit in menopausal fatigue, rarely discussed as cause

Q&A with Siobán Harlow

Although midlife women going through menopause often report feeling tired or fatigued, the causes of this fatigue are seldom discussed in the lay or scientific literature. Among other causes, excessive menstrual bleeding may increase the risk of iron deficiency/anemia that contributes to fatigue.

HBCU students show better mental health outcomes despite support gaps, new report finds

The findings reveal a complex picture of student well-being at historically Black colleges and universities

Black students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) experience better mental health outcomes in several key areas compared to their peers at other institutions, while also facing distinct challenges that require attention, say University of Michigan School of Public Health researchers.

Wildland-urban fires trigger biological changes in firefighters, may explain increased cancer risks

Firefighters who fight fires in wildland urban interface zones, where undeveloped and developed land meet, appear to experience genetic changes that may help explain their elevated risk for certain cancers and other diseases, according to a study led by the University of Michigan.