ANN ARBOR—Identifying adults who are ambivalent about vaccines early in a pandemic and finding community leaders who can help spread reliable information within their communities could help reduce vaccine hesitancy, according to a new University of Michigan study. “These findings have important implications for public health messaging and planning. Fence-sitters are probably the people who… Continue reading To combat vaccine hesitation, identify and target ‘fence-sitters’ early in pandemic
News Tag: Population Health
Black Michiganders: Key findings from U-M Poverty Solutions
ANN ARBOR—Black History Month, celebrated every February, highlights the experiences and honors the achievements of Black Americans throughout history. Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan highlights key data from its research that relates to Black Michiganders. 59% The percentage of Black Detroiters who were wearing masks early in the pandemic (March-April 2020). A representative… Continue reading Black Michiganders: Key findings from U-M Poverty Solutions
Population Health and Aging in Rapidly Changing Contexts – an interview with researcher Amy Pienta
Photo: The official farewell to visiting researcher Amy Pienta and family from the Institute for Social and Environmental Research-Nepal staff in Chitwan, Nepal. ANN ARBOR – Dr. Amy Pienta’s global work focuses on the demography of aging and retirement and health in later life, including a large research project that focuses on building data infrastructure… Continue reading Population Health and Aging in Rapidly Changing Contexts – an interview with researcher Amy Pienta
Neighborhoods play important role in older adults’ pandemic experience
ANN ARBOR—How have older adults adjusted to living under the pandemic? There’s no one-size-fits-all experience, according to University of Michigan researchers. In spring and summer 2020, U-M researchers Jessica Finlay and Lindsay Kobayashi launched a study to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed neighborhood environments and the way older adults age in place.… Continue reading Neighborhoods play important role in older adults’ pandemic experience
Open that app: Motivating people to use mobile health monitoring
In an effort to encourage patients to check in on their mobile devices, researchers tested different motivational strategies, including sending inspirational quotes, funny memes, and persuasive messages. ANN ARBOR – Keeping track of your well-being— whether workouts, sleep schedule, or even servings of vegetables— on a mobile app has become second nature to many. Consistent… Continue reading Open that app: Motivating people to use mobile health monitoring
High-need older adults in stepfamilies less likely to receive help from children
ANN ARBOR—As people age and require more care, their partners or adult children are often their front line of caretakers. But as divorce has become more common among older adults, University of Michigan researchers sought to understand the role of stepchildren in providing care for their aging stepparents. The researchers, led by family demographer Sarah… Continue reading High-need older adults in stepfamilies less likely to receive help from children
Having kids at home may reduce pandemic depression
ANN ARBOR—Kids have struggled throughout the pandemic—from attending school by Zoom video conferencing to quarantining from family and friends—but surprisingly having children at home may help adults feel less distressed. According to a new University of Michigan study, adults in households with children have fewer mental health problems than other adults living without kids. Child… Continue reading Having kids at home may reduce pandemic depression
Teen use of illicit drugs decreased in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued
ANN ARBOR—Declines in adolescent use of illicit drugs reported in 2021 were the largest and most sweeping ever recorded in the past 46 years, according to the Monitoring the Future study. A research team of professors at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research has conducted annual, nationally representative surveys of students in grades… Continue reading Teen use of illicit drugs decreased in 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic continued
As a season of joy arrives, pandemic stress weighs heaviest on least-healthy older adults
Poll finds many people over 50 have found joy and stayed resilient amid a prolonged public health crisis, but shows stress too ANN ARBOR – As major holidays and the promise of a new year approach, a new poll of people over 50 shows that most of them are finding joy and staying resilient amid… Continue reading As a season of joy arrives, pandemic stress weighs heaviest on least-healthy older adults
American young adults report having fewer sexual partners, higher rates of abstention
ANN ARBOR—A number of behaviors in younger adults that increase risk for the transmission of HIV/AIDS have declined or changed between 2010 and 2020, according to the national Monitoring the Future study. In the ongoing national study of high school graduates 21-30 years old, investigators at the University of Michigan have been tracking risk and… Continue reading American young adults report having fewer sexual partners, higher rates of abstention