On the Heights: April 2026
April highlights include a special report on brain health, research on the impact of Michigan’s nutrition assistance programs, and awards for faculty and staff across departments.
Food Policy Results
Epigenetics: Making sense of nutritional triggers
Dana Dolinoy discusses her work on the Michigan Minds podcast
Epigenetics, the study of how environmental and behavioral factors modify gene expression, helps explain how what we eat influences our health.
On the Heights: October 2025
Faculty research shapes policy debates on mass deportation, SNAP benefits, and health communication while centers expand lifecourse research focus and new technology advances lab safety training.
Key US hunger report canceled: University of Michigan experts can comment
USDA ends its Household Food Security Report, the government's primary hunger and food insecurity measure. U-M experts can discuss implications of halting this decades-long annual data collection on US food policy and research.
Uncovering hidden dangers: How environmental research can prevent cancer
Justin Colacino, an environmental health researcher at Michigan Public Health, uncovers how environmental exposures can cause cancer. His research aims to pinpoint the root causes of cancer, leveraging powerful data and tools to prevent harmful cellular changes before they start.
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.