Research Results

On the Heights: October 2026

Stay informed with the latest from the University of Michigan School of Public Health community in our monthly digest. Faculty expertise in action, new research, policy advocacy, and community engagement highlight our continued commitment to advancing public health and creating positive change.

Policy impact snapshot: Improving health & well-being through housing & urban policy

U-M researcher Roshanak Mehdipanah studies how housing costs and neighborhood inequality affect people's health. Her work has helped improve housing programs in Detroit and inform housing policy across Michigan.

Your chances of Alzheimer's disease vary based on where you live. Why is that?

Federally funded University of Michigan research will search for answers—and prevention possibilities—in data from 20 countries

A Michigan Public Health study led by Lindsay Kobayashi will compare memory and thinking data from older adults in 20 countries to learn why dementia risk differs worldwide and which prevention strategies matter most where.

U-M Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention awarded $11.2M to expand critical research efforts

U-M’s Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention received $11.2M in federal funding to expand research efforts, with School of Public Health researchers among the recipients.

Who will rural voters blame for harmful healthcare changes, policies this election?

U-M School of Public Health researcher asks if this midterm might be the election to redefine them

Michigan Public Health's Michael Shepherd explains how hospital closures, Medicaid changes and rural media shape who rural voters blame for healthcare losses, and why this midterm could break the pattern.

U-M studies examine what schools are doing to address cell phone use among students

U-M researchers are studying how schools across Michigan and the country are navigating student cell phone use and what policies can support learning while considering students’ safety and well being.