Rx Kids Program Surpasses $10 Million in Cash Prescriptions Across Michigan

Rx Kids, a first-of-its-kind program designed to eliminate poverty and improve health, has passed a major milestone in Michigan: over $10 million in cash prescriptions directly to enrolled moms, babies, and families – and entire communities – since launching in Flint in 2024.

The plug-and-play program has since expanded to the cities of Kalamazoo and Pontiac, and to the eastern Upper Peninsula counties of Chippewa, Schoolcraft, Luce, Alger, and Mackinac with plans to expand to more communities throughout 2025.

ROSE Program Cuts Rates of Postpartum Depression in Half While Saving Money

Imagine you’re a new mom, sleep-deprived and home alone with your baby. It’s been over a month since you gave birth and you thought you would start to feel better by now: not just physically, but mentally.

Your relationships with your partner, family, and friends have shifted since the baby arrived and you’re not sure who to ask for help. If you needed help, it would be offered, right? The lack of help probably means you should have it covered on your own.

Brittany Rudd Joins MSU Public Health Faculty, Brings Innovative Legal-Mental Health Work to Flint

Brittany Rudd, PhD, has joined Michigan State University’s Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health as an assistant professor, bringing a unique expertise in mental health and legal system interventions that promises to advance health equity and systems-level change for vulnerable youth and families. 

Communicating Safe Driving Habits to Michiganders

Effective public health communicators use clarity, empathy, and evidence to build trust in communities. In an age of constant access to information – and misinformation - Master of Public Health (MPH) alumna Sandra Enness, ’12, uses her skills as a public health communicator to break down data and help people make informed decisions.  

AI and the Future of Health Care

Can AI lead to the early detection of diseases and improve patient outcomes?

My approach to learning has always been about asking tough questions and digging deep to find answers. This mindset has drawn me to the intersection of technology and health care, an area where I see remarkable potential to improve human lives.

American Cancer Society Grants Fuel MSU Research in Colorectal, Breast and Cervical Cancer

Four dedicated researchers from Michigan State University have received grants totaling more than $3 million from the American Cancer Society, or ACS, to find new ways to prevent, detect, treat and help patients survive colorectal, breast and cervical cancer.   

2 Million Reasons to Care About Rural Public Health in Michigan

Living in a rural community in Michigan offers unique experiences, from exploring densely forested hiking trails to enjoying the vibrant fall colors and miles of freshwater shoreline. These are just a few of the wonderful experiences that make up being a Michigander or a Yooper if you are from the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). However, rural living also presents distinct challenges, particularly in the realm of health care.

MSU Researchers Develop App to Improve Postpartum Health for Rural and At-Risk Mothers

A new mom in Flint experiences excessive postpartum bleeding, but is told over the phone that she’s probably fine. Later, she is rushed to the emergency room. An expecting mom in rural Northern Michigan starts to feel dizzy and nauseous late in her pregnancy, a warning sign for preeclampsia, but the nearest hospital is two hours away and she doesn’t have transportation.

Agents of Change: Spartans are Built for the Challenge

When I think about what it means to be a public health change agent, I envision a ripple effect—a single action creating waves that extend far beyond what the eye can see. That’s the power of public health: small, intentional efforts that lead to meaningful, systemic change. As a proud Spartan and a graduate of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Michigan State University, I carry this belief with me in every facet of my work.

From Montana to Ghana: What Drew Me to Rural Public Health

As a respiratory therapist, Master of Public Health (MPH) student Shelly Bundy witnessed health disparities affect communities while working with the most vulnerable during the height of COVID-19. She writes about what led her to pursue an MPH, why she chose the Rural Public Health concentration, and what she learned during the Public Health in Ghana program.  

USA TODAY Recognizes Mona Hanna in "2025 Women of the Year"

As Rx Kids, a cash prescription program for expecting and new parents, turns one, its co-creator Mona Hanna, MD, Rx Kids director, associate dean for public health, and Charles Stewart Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health, has been recognized as one of USA TODAY’s 2025 Women of the Year. The list honors women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country.