In Season 6 of the Population Healthy podcast from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, we look at the health benefits of living with purpose, unexpected sources of air pollution, weight stigma, declining childhood vaccination rates, cancer research, how math can be used to solve some of today's most pressing public health issues, and more ..read more

In this episode of the Population Healthy podcast, Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, joins Matthew L. Boulton, senior associate dean for Global Public Health at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, in a thought-provoking conversation about childhood vaccination, the demands of the top doctor job, and more. Together, they analyze the decline in routine childhood immunizations in Michigan following the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover more about the factors keeping some parents from vaccinating their children, and the ongoing efforts to ensure the ..read more

In this episode, two researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health outline some of the health and safety challenges faced by farmworkers in the state of Michigan. Epidemiologists, Alexis Handal and Lisbeth Iglesias-Rios, describe findings from the Michigan Farmworker Project - their ongoing study on the precarious employment and labor exploitation of farmworkers. They share the struggles, exploitation, and health risks these workers endure, and underscore the vital need for data-driven solutions. The researchers discuss how documenting the experiences of this vulnerable ..read more

In this episode of Population Healthy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Professor of Epidemiology Celeste Leigh Pearce digs into her team's extensive work on cancer research, focusing on ovarian, breast, and cervical cancers. Pearce outlines the possibilities of eradicating cervical and potentially other cancers through vaccination, screening and early detection. Her team puts a strong emphasis on disease prevention, aiming to lessen the occurrence of cancer cases. The ultimate goal is to put oncologists out of business — in other words, to leverage screening and other p ..read more

In this empowering episode of the 'Ahead of the Curve' Speaker Series by University of Michigan, Dean DuBois Bowman and renowned civil rights activist, author, and lawyer Bakari Sellers deep dive into Sellers’ impactful journey packed with resilience, ambition, and public service. Sellers recalls his childhood memories growing up in South Carolina in an activism-rich family and his trailblazing entrance into politics as the youngest member of the South Carolina State Legislature at just 22. He expresses his unyielding commitment towards progressive policies that aim at addressing entrenched i ..read more

In this episode we’re exploring the impact of weight-centric perspectives on public health. Kendrin Sonneville, an associate professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is working against a status quo that focuses on weight as a primary indicator of health. She sheds light on the historical basis of weight bias and walks us through why some of our most relied upon measures, like the Body Mass Index (BMI), are not useful health indicators. Sonneville hopes deemphasizing weight in public health discussions can help combat poor health outcomes relating ..read more

Sara Adar, an environmental epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, unpacks the universal concern of air pollution, offering insights into its daily impact on our lives. From the subtle effects of day-to-day air quality to the long-term consequences on health, Adar shares some of her own research to shed light on sources of air pollution beyond just the usual suspects. Listen to learn more about the air we breathe and its implications on our well-being. Discover the surprising links between air pollution and various health outcomes, includ ..read more

In this episode of Population Healthy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Vic Strecher, a professor renowned for his work in behavior change and digital health, discusses the concept of purpose. Drawing from personal loss and professional research, he found that a strong sense of purpose can lead to a longer life, with improved emotional wellbeing, and even changes in gene expression leading to physical improvements. His experiences led him to create the Purposeful App, which helps users explore and define their personal purpose. Aligning with the principles of public hea ..read more

The new season of the Population Healthy podcast from the University of Michigan School of Public Health kicks off on Tuesday, January 16th. This season, we'll look at the health benefits of living with purpose, unexpected sources of air pollution, weight stigma, declining childhood vaccination rates, cancer research, how math can be used to solve some of today's most pressing public health issues, and more! Tune in every Tuesday for a new exploration into public health in its many forms ..read more

Police violence is an area of concern for many communities. Establishing public health-informed, alternative response programs—separate from law enforcement agencies—is one approach to reduce police violence and give communities a more diverse set of tools with which to respond to crises and support community health and wellbeing. Such programs have the potential to improve health outcomes, especially for communities that are disproportionately harmed by the police. This episode of the Population Healthy podcast provides a rationale for developing and implementing alternative response program ..read more