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.
PhD Results
AI tool can predict heart failure from genetic and health record data
A University of Michigan study demonstrates that combining genetic and clinical data for an individual patient can help predict heart failure, the world’s leading cause of hospitalization, a decade before it’s diagnosed.
Mediterranean-style diet linked to lower odds of metabolic syndrome in women not getting enough sleep
University of Michigan study reveals the diet may offer benefits for women with inadequate sleep
Previous research has identified that Mediterranean diet adherence and adequate sleep duration are each independently associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome. And now, a recent study led by University of Michigan School of Public Health researchers looks into their combined effects.
From equations to impact: Advancing public health through biostatistics
Q&A with University of Michigan researcher Jian Kang on mental health, aging and cancer
Jian Kang is a professor and associate chair for Research in the Department of Biostatistics at Michigan Public Health, where he develops cutting-edge statistical methods for analyzing complex biomedical data. He’s particularly interested in brain-computer interfaces and neuroimaging, developing methods that help researchers better understand how the brain works and how it changes with age or disease.
Firearm violence in communities increases risk of cardiovascular disease death, study finds
Michigan Public Health researchers find connection between community gun violence and heart disease deaths, suggesting violence prevention could be reframed as cardiovascular health strategy for communities.
New study on TB transmission among minorities in Arkansas highlights urgent need for focused prevention
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Black Arkansans experience a substantially higher risk of recently transmitted TB
A new study from Michigan Public Health and the Arkansas Department of Health reveals that, despite low overall rates, tuberculosis (TB) continues to disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic communities in Arkansas. The research highlights growing rates of recent TB transmission and calls for targeted prevention efforts and improved access to care to address persistent disparities.