A Cold Call That Changed Lives

When Jennifer Johnson picked up the phone more than a decade ago, she had not yet moved to Flint, unpacked a box or even accepted a job offer from Michigan State University. What she did have was a research question combined with a willingness to call the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office to see if they could work together.

Warning: This story talks about suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call, text, or chat the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You matter. You are important.

Dr. Mona Hanna Named to 2026 TIME100 Health List for Transforming Maternal-Infant Health Through Rx Kids

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. Mona Hanna, associate dean for public health, has been named to the 2026 TIME100 Health list of the World’s Most Influential Leaders in Health for her visionary leadership in founding Rx Kids, the nation’s first communitywide maternal and infant cash prescription program.

Thousands of Detroit Families Can Now Benefit From Rx Kids

Michigan State University’s Rx Kids program has launched in the city of Detroit, marking the life-changing program’s largest launch to date. With approximately 8,000 babies born in Detroit each year, the expansion represents an unprecedented investment in the city’s youngest residents, making Detroit one of the most baby-friendly cities in the nation.

Meet Latrese Carruth: Flint Spartan MPH Scholarship Recipient

When Latrese Carruth became the Program Director for Flint’s Community Violence Intervention Program, it felt like a full-circle moment. A lifelong Flint resident who has lost friends to gun violence, she now leads efforts to support youth, strengthen neighborhoods, and help reduce violence in the city she calls home. “I understand this work not just from a textbook, but from lived experience,” she shared. 

A Lifeline for those Experiencing Postpartum Depression

When her grandmother died, Gabrielle Ekstrum did not cry. She was days away from giving birth to her second son, and she was focused on his arrival and all that she would need to do for him. But once Lukas was born, Ekstrum says, “I cried nonstop for two weeks.”

Flint to Co-design National Health Equity Program

MSU Awarded $700,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Equity Research for Action Coordinating Center Grant for the Planning Year

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Flint residents have been awarded one of three competitive coordinating center grants from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) through its Health Equity Research for Action (HERA) program.

Public Health in Ghana: Research and Service for Improved Health and Hygiene

Every summer, students from the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health, College of Human Medicine, contribute to community health research efforts during a study abroad experience in Ghana. With a focus on causes and effects of menstrual health disparities, the 2024 cohort applied their knowledge to the expressed needs of community members they met and gained global context for the many factors of public health. 

From the Classroom to the Community

Growing up 10 minutes away from Flint, Nate Peterson, MPH '25, feels a personal connection to the city. His interest in using interdisciplinary interventions to contribute to a community’s well-being and desire to see Flint thrive fuel his passion for public health.

In this Q&A, Nate shares his experience as both a Flint Registry team member and his time as an MPH student.

Jennifer Johnson 2025 University Distinguished Professor

Jennifer Johnson, PhD, was among ten newly designated University Distinguished Professors recognized at a reception in East Lansing on November 20. The recognition honors Michigan State University faculty members for their outstanding achievements in teaching, research, and public service.

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Criminal Legal Professionals

Law enforcement, first responders, attorneys, and criminal justice professionals spend their careers confronting trauma, whether in courtrooms, interrogation rooms, or on the front lines of law enforcement. That work, while essential, can carry a steep personal cost. 

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.