State of Health

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.

Dr. Tolulope Sonuyi, director of Detroit Life Is Valuable Everyday (DLIVE), and Juanita Houston, DLIVE's lead healthy minds coach.

Michigan programs aim to stop violence against youth before it happens

Medical researchers in Michigan are designing innovative programs to intervene in cycles of violence.

Caregiver Incentive Project (CIP) founder Eric Paad and CIP spokesperson Dorothy Paad.
UP nonprofit offers education and support in effort to end caregiver shortage

The Marquette-based nonprofit Caregiver Incentive Project is working to create solutions to Michigan's alarming caregiver shortage.

Employees at Brody's Be Cafe in Ada, which employs people living with disabilities.
Here’s how three Michigan nonprofits empower people living with disabilities

These nonprofits are taking innovative approaches to supporting and empowering people with disabilities so they can truly achieve the rights promised to them by the law.

MiGen Executive Director Angela Gabridge and Program Director Kat Mehrer.
Detroit nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ older adults adopts new name reflecting statewide focus

The Ferndale-based nonprofit MiGen is working to create safer, healthier communities for LGBTQ+ older adults across Michigan.

AARP Michigan volunteer Howard Pizzo, AARP Michigan Communications Manager Mark Hornbeck, and AARP Michigan State Director Paula Cunningham on the Lansing River Trail.
Special report: Michigan prepares for a rapidly aging population by becoming more ‘age-friendly’

We took a look at several Michigan initiatives that are working to create new age-friendly support systems as the state ages.

A man uses the care.coach tool, currently being deployed by Grand Rapids-based Care Resources PACE.
New health care technologies improve outcomes for Michiganders of all ages

We took a look at several innovative health technologies, ranging from an app that screens pregnant people for substance use to a device that tracks stress responses to make it easier for older adults to get around.

Dr. Lynn Todman and Dr. Willie Lawrence at the Center for Better Health and Wellness.
Center for Better Health and Wellness tackles health disparities beyond COVID in Benton Harbor

Established to address COVID-19-related health disparities, the center has pivoted to address additional unique health needs in predominantly Black Benton Harbor.

Shonte' Terhune-Smith is a doula health educator, lactation consultant, and birth doula practicing in Genesee County.
Michigan’s new Medicaid coverage for birth doulas brings benefits and new challenges

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been bolstering support for Michigan doulas through its Doula Initiative.

Grand Rapids Assistant Planning Director Jay Steffen describes these new benches in Grand Rapids' Creston neighborhood as a "direct result" of Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan.
Michigan Age-Friendly Action Plan aims to make it easier for adults to age in place

Michigan's Age-Friendly Action Plan has established a blueprint that's helping Michiganders ages 50 and older remain connected, feel respected, and live more independently within their communities.

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, founder of the Women-Inspired Neighborhood Network: Detroit.
Detroit initiatives combat high Black infant mortality rate with dignity and compassion

Black infant mortality rates in Michigan are consistently two and sometimes even three times higher than in white communities.

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