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.
Kate Bauer Results
On the Heights: January 2026
January highlights include groundbreaking research on structural racism and environmental health, new Impact Institute and sustainability funding awards, and faculty expertise featured in national media coverage and global health initiatives.
On the Heights: October 2025
Faculty research shapes policy debates on mass deportation, SNAP benefits, and health communication while centers expand lifecourse research focus and new technology advances lab safety training.
Key US hunger report canceled: University of Michigan experts can comment
USDA ends its Household Food Security Report, the government's primary hunger and food insecurity measure. U-M experts can discuss implications of halting this decades-long annual data collection on US food policy and research.
Back to school: University of Michigan experts can discuss a range of topics
University of Michigan experts are available to discuss key back-to-school topics including AI in classrooms, teacher recruitment and retention, student mental health, school safety, nutrition security, concussions, and pandemic learning loss.
Restriction vs. incentives: The complex reality of SNAP food policies
U-M expert: SNAP food restrictions don't improve health outcomes, while incentive programs show promise
Several states are considering restricting SNAP benefit purchases for soda and certain products like chips and candy. Michigan Public Health professor and researcher Kate Bauer explains why such restrictions fail to improve health outcomes while increasing stigma, and offers evidence-based alternatives that preserve dignity for recipients.