State of Health

Lapeer County EMS Education Program Manager Luke Bowen leads a session of the new EMT training program.

Free EMS education program helps ease EMT shortage in Lapeer County

In Lapeer County, east of Flint, a new EMT education program is helping to grow the county's EMT and paramedic workforce.

Melanie Brim, former president and CEO of the Michigan Health Council.
How can Michigan solve its growing health care workforce shortage?

One study found that nearly all of the 36 Michigan health care occupations it analyzed are projecting workforce shortages between now and 2032. What can be done?

Photos of Indigenous family food traditions submitted to the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.
Michigan’s Indigenous children receive culturally sensitive nutrition education through new program

The 13 Moons Curriculum enriches the lives of children up to age 5 with an academic foundation focused on culturally relevant, healthy eating.

Jim Bardenhagen of Suttons Bay-based Bardenhagen Farms is one of many Michigan farmers who sold his produce to Michigan clients through Cherry Capital Foods.
After a Traverse City food distributor’s closure, Michigan farmers work to keep produce in state

Cherry Capital Foods closed in November, leaving Michigan farmers and produce buyers scrambling to figure out what's next. 

As Oakland County pays off 80,000 residents’ doctor bills, how can Michigan solve medical debt?

Oakland County's debt relief initiative highlights the overwhelming burden of medical debt for countless others in Michigan and beyond.

Dr. Jennifer Burgess.
Despite its conveniences, telehealth can be frustrating. These doctors are working to change that.

Telemedicine may be confusing, frustrating, or straight-up inaccessible for many patients – so Henry Ford Health practitioners are working to create an easier experience for all.

Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney for the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative.
Michigan works to continue residents’ lifesaving health coverage after post-pandemic Medicaid cuts

When the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 expired in May 2023, over 500,000 Michiganders stood to lose their Medicaid health insurance coverage. But the state is working to help residents maintain coverage.

Ken Nixon, director of outreach and community partnerships for Safe & Just Michigan.
Lack of data raises questions about quality and cost effectiveness of Michigan’s prison health care

According to Michigan researchers and advocates for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, health care in prison is far less than adequate.

Dr. Jordan Braciszewski demonstrates an iPad app used to screen children for mental health issues in Henry Ford Health clinics.
Michigan providers use innovative technologies to expand access to behavioral health

Telehealth, which ramped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, is here to stay and many agencies and providers are finding new ways to implement it.

Datasha Chapman, a member of Calvin University's Lay Ambassadors for Mental Health program, chats with a colleague.
Mental health ambassadors and prenatal coaches: Michigan orgs tackle social determinants of health

Michigan organizations are innovating to address the non-medical factors that influence people's health in alignment with the state of Michigan's Social Determinants of Health Strategy.

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