The Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health Awards Committee is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Difference Makers awards. These awards recognize the hard work of faculty members, staff members, and community partners. 

Dr. Robert Wahl

Air pollutant exposures are associated with adverse birth outcomes and worsening symptoms of asthma, heart disease, and other chronic diseases. How can Michiganders track local forecasted air quality? Robert Wahl, DVM, MS, assistant professor in the College of Human Medicine’s Master of Public Health program, explains how.

Michigan State University receives 1 of 42 grants awarded from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. $500,000 will support Flint Rx Kids, the first citywide cash allowance program in the United States.

The 2023 Flint Lead Free report captures city-wide lead elimination efforts. Building upon previous years (2017 and 2021), this report features broad and proactive efforts to reduce environmental lead exposure, share progress made from new investments and strategic partnerships, demonstrate the positive impact of lead elimination, and highlight the excellent work of partners.

Thanks to an intended $15 million “challenge” grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Flint moms and babies could soon benefit from an innovative program that boldly tackles a root cause of health disparities – poverty. Rx Kids will be the first citywide program in the United States to address maternal and infant poverty with the novel approach of unconditional cash allowances to ALL City of Flint pregnant moms and babies. 

Michigan continues to struggle to protect residents from tobacco products' harmful effects.

As a typical overachiever, receiving any grade lower than an “A” has always been terrifying. However, Michigan recently did just that. Across three out of five domains, Michigan failed the American Lung Association Tobacco Control Report Card.[1]

National Public Health Week 2023

During National Public Health Week, April 3 - 9, we honor faculty, alumni, students, staff, community partners, and professionals that are dedicated to making communities safer, stronger, and healthier. Together we strive to create the healthiest nation.

We invite you to check out highlights of some of the work being accomplished by Spartans working in public health. 

In recognition of Black History Month, we're highlighting Spartans in Public Health who dedicate their talents to addressing health disparities. We are inspired by the public health leadership of our community. Together we stand for health justice. Explore the important work of our leadership and faculty. 

As soon as she stepped foot on MSU's campus, Lauryn Allen knew she was meant to be a Spartan. Her passion for helping underserved groups and using research to understand social determinants of health inspired her to continue her education at MSU and pursue her Master of Public Health. Following a successful summer internship, she currently works as a graduate research assistant for a study focusing on cervical cancer prevention. 

Read more about Lauryn in this Q&A. 

Olivia Aspiras

The human papillomavirus or HPV vaccine is nearly 100% effective at preventing infection, and its ability to reduce the risk for HPV infections remains high even a decade after the initial vaccination. The vaccine reduces cervical cancer among women and prevents cancers likely caused by an HPV infection among men.

MSU College of Human Medicine Flint Building with Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health signature logo on top

For years, MSU College of Human Medicine researchers in the Division of Public Health have been working with Flint community partners to improve the health of the community, improve access to health care, reduce health disparities and advance policies and interventions that eliminate structural racism in health care.

After graduating from MSU with her bachelor’s degree in microbiology, Lillian Jensen took some time away from starting her career to serve as a medical caregiver for her ailing grandmother. During this time she began to experience flaws in the health care system firsthand. 

“I witnessed flaws in the health care system which directly lowered her quality of life. She had many medical specialists, but my grandmother experienced very little continuity of care. I was frustrated by the sense that I could see her whole medical picture better than her doctors could,” she said.