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Estelle Slootmaker

Estelle Slootmaker's Latest Articles

Carolyn Wilson administers the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to Dr. Eric Kane at Beaumont Service Center in Southfield on Dec. 15, 2020.
Michigan health care professionals work to assuage skepticism as they roll out COVID-19 vaccines

Health care professionals across Michigan are doing their best to respond to Michiganders' concerns and deliver the vaccine to as many residents as possible.

Dr. Wassim Tarraf has carried out research on COVID-19's impact on people of color.
Michigan grapples with COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on people of color’s mental health

COVID-19 has taken a toll on mental health in Michigan and across the world, but new Wayne State University (WSU) research shows that burden has been heaviest for people of color.

Amy Heydlauff, CEO of 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, spearheaded a ReThink Health collaborative in western Washtenaw County.
Major health care players collaborate to rethink how they invest in Washtenaw County’s well-being

Four organizations are working to cooperatively leverage their combined skills, talents, networks, and financial resources to achieve optimal physical and mental health.

Mariah Martin.
Michigan makes strides towards implementing implicit bias training for all health care workers

The state is currently undertaking a major effort to address implicit bias in its health care sector, developing rules that require implicit bias training for all health care professionals licensed and registered in the state.

A Food Bank of Eastern Michigan distribution at the Martus Luna Food Pantry in Flint.
Emergency food programs are plentiful in Michigan – but many residents are still going hungry

A new report provides a comprehensive look at the state's vast system of food banks and emergency food resources, and why many residents are still falling through the cracks.

Katrina Jones and Janay Clark.
Michigan’s direct care workers confront shortages of PPE and providers as pandemic rages

For these essential workers, social distancing is impossible – and personal protective equipment (PPE) is both indispensable and alarmingly difficult to obtain.

A Joy for All robotic dog.
Michigan agencies distribute robotic pets to help elders combat loneliness during pandemic

One agency has already distributed 80 robotic pets to elders in its service area, and others across Michigan are either considering or actively preparing efforts to hand out hundreds more.

Here’s how Michigan health care experts are reducing risks of medication overload

Those taking five or more prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, or supplements concurrently can be at risk for serious combined side effects.

Eastern Market staff load food boxes that were ordered online.
COVID-19 prompts many Michigan farmers and farmers markets to offer online sales for the first time

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many health challenges, but it's also made it easier than ever for Michiganders to get healthy, local food, as many farmers and farmers markets have started reaching customers online.

Grand Rapids resident Yvonne Woodard has had several low birth weight children and grandchildren.
As awareness of racism’s role in infant mortality grows, Michigan takes action

For Black infants, racism's impacts begin at birth – and may be deadly. But practitioners across Michigan are coming together to address it through a proposed expansion of the state's Healthy Moms Healthy Babies program.

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