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.
Health Management and Policy Results
Paula Lantz retires from the University of Michigan
During her 28-year tenure, Lantz taught and mentored more than 3,000 students and postdoctoral fellows and led major policy-relevant research initiatives.
Paula Lantz, whose work has helped shape national conversations about social determinants of health, will retire from the University of Michigan on May 31, 2026.
Long-term opioid prescribing fell, but millions still receive extended opioid therapy, study finds
In 2023, about 4.2 million U.S. patients had an active long-term opioid therapy episode, according to a JAMA research letter led by University of Michigan researchers.
Long-term opioid prescribing has declined over the past decade, but co-prescribing patterns have shifted and the patient population has aged — raising new questions about chronic pain management in the U.S.
University of Michigan School of Public Health ranks #4 among best schools of public health in the nation
The school also ranked highly in several specialty areas
The University of Michigan School of Public Health has been ranked #4 in the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Public Health Schools. The School of Public Health also ranks among the top schools in specialty rankings issued by U.S. News.
Preventing tragedy: How communities can use extreme risk protection orders to save lives
April Zeoli, director of M-FLIP, collaborated with the deputy chief of Public Safety and Police Services at Michigan Technological University to convene a workshop on ERPOs. The training helped community members understand the value of the law and built confidence in navigating the legal process.
On the Heights: March 2026
March highlights include a successful poster session celebrating student research and internships, faculty leadership of a new open access environmental journal, and ASPPH awards and committee appointments.