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.
Nutrition
Likelihood, potential impacts of federal shutdown: University of Michigan experts can comment
University of Michigan researchers are available to share their insights on a federal government shutdown at the end of the day Tuesday, unless lawmakers break the impasse and make a deal before then.
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.
Michigan Health Equity Challenge announces winners of second annual competition
Three student-led proposals addressing rural healthcare access, Parkinson’s disease care, and water quality monitoring have emerged as winners in the University of Michigan’s Michigan Health Equity Challenge.
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.