In the News
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October 7, 2025
“Given our findings, I believe medical providers should be aware of a patient’s allergy history, as other research has also established a connection between allergies and a higher risk for suicide. I hope this research can lead to more tailored care and, ultimately, save lives,” said Joelle Abramowitz, associate research scientist at the Institute for Social Research, whose research suggests a link between high pollen counts and increased risks of suicide.
People -
October 7, 2025
“The tone of the language is very antagonistic and partisan in a way we don’t expect from formal messaging from agency leaders. If you had a federal employee who emailed their colleagues blaming president Trump for the shutdown, they’d be pursued for a Hatch Act violation and probably fired in the meantime,” said Don Moynihan, professor of public policy, regarding emails sent to federal employees that blame Democrats for the government shutdown.
WIRED -
October 7, 2025
“I spent almost 20 years of my life working for the Department of Justice during a time when it was the North Star that you do not use federal prosecution to go after political rivals,” said Barb McQuade, professor from practice of law. “And it seems that (Attorney General) Pam Bondi is turning that on its head. Now, it’s a norm, it’s not a law, but since Watergate, it has been crystal clear that that is the way that prosecutors conduct themselves.”
National Public Radio -
October 6, 2025
“It’s often historically been some sort of recession or major economic shock that’s precipitating the (budget) crisis. But in this case, it’s really just politics,” said Stephanie Leiser, lecturer in public policy. Christopher Friese, professor of nursing, said the shutdown could exacerbate issues caused by federal workforce layoffs earlier this year: “If … the administration moves for more layoffs within HHS or other agencies, what you’ll see is just a continued erosion of public health work.” And Jennifer Garner, professor of nutritional sciences, said “if October payments for November are delayed … that’s where there would be a very large impact on the population of Michiganders who use (the SNAP) program.”
Michigan Advance -
October 6, 2025
“There is a strain of conservatism that is about taking away things that people have gained, like human rights, for example, and creating a more punitive system where they can … punish and imprison people who are not white,” said Rogério Pinto, professor of social work and of theatre and drama. “I think the Latino population that may have voted in a particular way toward conservatism may be getting a very rude awakening.”
WDET Radio -
October 6, 2025
“In addition to the overall price tag of hospital care for firearm injury, we found that $684 million of those costs were for patients younger than 18, and these costs grew by over 50% from 2019 to 2021,” said Regina Royan, assistant professor of emergency medicine and neurology, whose research found that treatment for gun injuries cost U.S. hospitals an estimated $7.7 billion between 2016 and 2021.
U.S. News & World Report -
October 3, 2025
Research by Ashley Gearhardt, professor of psychology, and graduate student Lucy Loch shows that 21% of women and 10% of men age 50 to 64 meet the clinical criteria for addiction to ultra-processed foods. “The percentages we see in these data far outpace the percentages of older adults with problematic use of other addictive substances, such as alcohol and tobacco,” Gearhardt said.
Earth.com -
October 3, 2025
People respond to incidents of mass violence in different ways and there isn’t a set timeline in how long trauma responses last, said Justin Heinze, associate professor of health behavior and health equity: “Sometimes it can be days or weeks or even months down the road before people start to really manifest these symptoms.”
Bridge Michigan -
October 3, 2025
“Folks on Medicaid are often working low-wage jobs, evening and nighttime shifts. They don’t have a lot of flexibility to take time off from work to submit their documentation,” said John Ayanian, professor and director of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, who believes states should proactively work with community organizations and hospitals to communicate work requirements to Medicaid patients and to offer support along the way.
The New York Times -
October 2, 2025
As vape pens become easier for kids to hide and harder for schools to police, a growing number of teens are vaping marijuana — especially flavored products — raising health and addiction concerns. “Flavored vaping solutions offer a discreet mode of cannabis use, with flavors apparently enhancing their appeal,” said Richard Miech, research professor at the Institute for Social Research.
Bridge Detroit
