Inaugural Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship Recipient

Michigan State University is excited to congratulate Katlin Harwood-Schelb as the inaugural recipient of the Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to an incoming Master of Public Health student who lives or works in the Greater Flint community and has demonstrated a commitment to implementing the knowledge obtained by completing the Master of Public Health program. 

Black Health Matters: Grant Funds Cancer Screening Equity

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type diagnosed in the United States in both men and women. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 150,000 new cases in 2021 and over 50,000 deaths. But CRC is preventable and very treatable if caught early. “Disparities in CRC screening have persisted in the African American community, but we have the tools to do something about it. If Black Lives Matter, then Black health should matter too,” Todd Lucas.

The Obstacles that Shape Your Path

For an entire decade, Pavneet Banga, MD, contemplated going back to school. Everyday life, family, and multiple relocation opportunities stalled her studies. She kept thinking, “will that gap time be an obstacle to my success?” One conversation later, she was ready to pursue her public health interest in epidemics and pandemics.

“So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune."
– Ruth Bader Ginsburg

A Candid Conversation with Leading Coronavirus Vaccine Developer

Have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine? Mark your calendars for a discussion, led by a panel of local Flint experts, with Kizzmekia S. Corbett, PhD, a National Institutes of Health scientist instrumental in groundbreaking research that directly led to the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

$622K to Address Health Disparities with Family Health History Tools

Flint native, community advocate, and Michigan State University researcher, Kent Key, PhD, MPH, has been awarded a five-year, $622,835 grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to co-develop culturally appropriate family health history tools with African American community members.

State of Flint Kids 2021 Report Published

The second annual State of Flint Kids report, along with a special video and updated website, was released this week by the MSU-Hurley Pediatric Public Health Initiative and the Greater Flint Health Coalition. The report highlights data trends over time and opportunities for improvement. The State of Flint Kids website at stateofflintkids.com has been updated to include in-depth dashboards and new assessment measures.

Dr. Mona Urges MI Parents to Protect Adolescents with COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, doctors, and state and national public health leaders today urged Michigan parents to get their 12- to 15-year-old children vaccinated with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, authorized for emergency use in this age group on Monday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended yesterday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Flint’s Dr. Mona Testifies on U.S. Drinking Water Infrastructure

Flint pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha today testified on safe water infrastructure before the U.S. Congressional Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.

Dr. Mona, a pediatrician and public health expert, identified safe drinking water infrastructure as a public health crisis and pressed lawmakers to support President Biden’s proposal in the American Job’s Plan to replace 100% of the nation's lead pipes.

Student View: From a Mother’s Eyes

Cristina Szelingowski is entering her final year in Michigan State University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) Program in the College of Human Medicine. Cristina is currently a Value Evidence Dissemination Operations Manager at Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. in New Jersey. She holds an MS in Healthcare Management from The College of Saint Elizabeth and a BS in Business Administration from the Catholic University of America. Professionally, Cristina is interested in increasing patient diversity and creating access to oncology clinical trials.

Woman to Woman Community Dialogue

The Woman to Woman Community Dialogue features Flint area women who devote their lives to service, purposeful work, activism for the betterment of people and gives hope to individuals and families living throughout the City of Flint. This event will provide information on community resources, give motivation, tangible tools, and strengthen women near and far. Join the Flint Registry and the Michigan State University-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative on April 20th and April 29th. 

Cooking Classes Improve Nutrition and Emotional Health

After Flint residents were exposed to lead in their drinking water, a Michigan State University College of Human Medicine professor helped launch a series of cooking classes for kids, hoping it would teach them the importance of proper nutrition.

It did that and more.

As the kids gained confidence in the kitchen, they began trying foods they previously would have shunned, a recent study found.

Diminishing COVID-19 Racial Disparities for Tribal Communities

Armed with her MSU master’s degree in public health and more than 25 years of experience, Noel Pingatore, Spartan in Public Health, joined the fight against COVID-19 to decrease transmission and improve patient outcomes for tribal communities in Michigan. Tribal communities were experiencing higher rates of underlying risk factors for COVID-19 and disproportionate health outcomes.