On the way to the first day of her summer internship, Maya Wolock listened to Hillary Clinton interview Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha on a podcast. She couldn’t believe she was listening to her direct supervisor speak on a high-profile platform. “I gave myself a case of the first-day jitters,” Wolock said. Her nerves quickly turned to excitement after meeting her fellow interns and the faculty and staff of Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Public Health Initiative (PPHI) in Flint.

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. 

Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship

The Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health is supporting the public health workforce in the Flint community with a third Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship. One scholarship will be awarded in fall 2024 and will cover tuition and fees for completing MSU's online Master of Public Health. Prospective students who currently live or work in the greater Flint community, including Mt. Morris and Burton are eligible. 

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2024. APPLY NOW. 

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.