Health

Coverage of hospitals, clinics, public health, and mental health developments and initiatives.

Katie Wendel, director of planning and advocacy at Area Agency on Aging 1B, which recently launched a voucher program to help unpaid caregivers afford respite care.

Finding temporary care is a challenge for Michigan’s many unpaid caregivers, but help is available

Approximately 1.7 million Michiganders are unpaid caregivers, and they often desperately need a break from that work. Resources, like a new voucher program to pay for respite care, can help.

Latest in Health
More than 500 students, staff, teachers, and volunteers participated in a Mental Health Fair and Walk at Detroit’s University Prep Art & Design Middle High School in October.
Michigan’s community mental health agencies work hard to prevent youth suicide

Michigan’s community mental health agencies (CMHs) and organizations across the state understand that asking questions and having conversations about mental health and suicide is a very significant step in prevention. 

Why a Kalamazoo nonprofit is ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Since its inception, MRC Industries, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Kalamazoo County, has paid its workers a subminimum wage. But no longer. MRC dropped its 14(c) certification in September.

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.

The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan will host the West Michigan Survivors of Suicide Loss 2023 event.
Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan hosts suicide survivors’ event Nov. 18

On November 18, the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan will host the West Michigan Survivors of Suicide Loss annual event, which brings together people impacted by a death by suicide. 

Statewide housing plan works with stakeholders across region to address housing needs

Block by Block spoke with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Housing North, and Communities First about how individual communities are working together to tackle the specific housing needs of their residents. For the first time ever, the state of Michigan released a statewide coordinated, comprehensive housing plan, working with stakeholders across the housing sector  

Two GRIT wheelchair users pose at a local park.
All-terrain wheelchair loan program opens outdoors to more users

The GRIT wheelchair can go across all terrains standard wheelchairs can’t, and a West Michigan family who knows the constraints of conventional wheelchair use has created a program to allow the public borrow two of them.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and community mental health

Q&A with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow shares why she has worked so hard and so long to improve community mental health. 

CEDAM’s Emily Reyst with Boot Camp graduate Christine Holmes, Woodbridge Neighborhood Development director of policy and property development.
CEDAM Real Estate Boot Camp readies Michigan’s emerging developers

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan is addressing the demand for affordable housing across the state. It’s real estate development boot camp provides tools and training for developers and community members within their neighborhoods.   

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.

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