State of Health is a series about how Michigan communities are rising to address health challenges. Previous coverage examined health disparities and how they affect Michigan's children and seniors and integrated care and its potential to improve Michiganders' health. This series is made possible with funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
Substance abuse, lack of access to healthy food, and dwindling birthing hospitals and OB-GYNs all contribute to poor health outcomes for mothers and infants. These organizations and individuals are working to change that.
Statewide, black babies are three times more likely to die in their first year of life than white babies. But those statistics are even more alarming in many of Michigan's urban centers.
Although almost everyone has experienced not understanding their doctor, health literacy issues may be especially pronounced for refugees, youth, and disadvantaged communities.
Understanding the healthcare system can be difficult for many who grew up in the United States speaking English. But for immigrants, challenges to receiving and understanding good care are exponentially greater.
These initiatives forge private-public collaborations to create systemic improvements in health and wellness across multiple counties.
Social isolation and loneliness can have serious negative impacts on older adults' health, but efforts around the state are working to connect seniors to their communities and the resources available to them.
Lack of access to good transportation options continues to be a barrier to health equity for many Michigan residents. A patchwork of organizations around the state are working to resolve this challenging issue.
Marginalized Michigan residents are finding health services in easily accessible neighborhood locations, and formerly defunct buildings are becoming bright spots on their blocks.
Seniors may face numerous barriers to health, including but also going far beyond basic access to medical care. These Michigan communities are taking innovative steps to improve older residents' quality of life.
Many rural Michiganders face health disparities, but multiple organizations are creating new ways of structuring rural hospitals and clinics and reaching out to rural patients.
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