Public Health
Most Michiganders Trust Vaccines but Hesitancy Persists
Michigan continues to show strong support for childhood vaccination. However, ongoing skepticism and uncertainty around vaccine safety and public health policies remain key challenges. Findings from the 2025 Cover Michigan Survey highlight differences in trust across demographic groups and the need for targeted, evidence-based strategies. Most Michiganders believe vaccines are safe and important, and most parents report their children are …
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The Behavioral Health Landscape in Michigan
Michigan is facing a severe access crisis for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2019 data indicates that nearly half of Michigan adults with mental illness and 73% of those with SUD do not receive treatment. A critical takeaway from the brief is that insurance coverage does not guarantee access to …
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Maternal Mortality in Michigan
Michigan faces a significant maternal mortality crisis, reporting 19.1 maternal deaths per 1,000 births in 2022, with nearly three-quarters of these deaths considered preventable. Deaths are categorized as pregnancy-related (e.g., infection or sepsis) or pregnancy-associated (e.g., substance use disorder). The core challenges are widespread provider shortages and a lack of quality, culturally competent care. Racial disparities are severe, as Black …
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Health System Transformation Through EMS Data Integration – for Policy Makers
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data represents a critical, yet underutilized, resource with significant potential to transform public health surveillance, support the delivery of health and social services, and improve health outcomes. Investing in the integration of this near real-time data source will provide visibility into patient needs that remain hidden in traditional clinical settings, driving better care coordination, efficiency, and …
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Incorporating Community Voice into a Statewide Initiative, Experiences from the Field
In 2020, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) a five-year project to enhance data exchange capabilities and reduce health disparities in Michigan. The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) joined as a partner to support 7 regional health collaboratives and facilitate a learning community. The project recognized …
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Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Michigan: Early Results
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are non-profit organizations or units of a local government behavioral health authority designed to provide comprehensive, integrated mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services to anyone who walks through their door, regardless of their diagnosis, insurance status, ability to pay, or residence. The Michigan Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Demonstration launched on …
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Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs): A brief for legislators
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are powerful intermediaries between drug manufacturers, pharmacies, insurers, and patients. They negotiate rebates and manage prescription benefits for nearly all Americans with drug coverage. While PBMs were created to streamline claims and control costs, concerns have grown about opaque pricing, market concentration, and their impact on patients and independent pharmacies. Key Findings 1. What PBMs do …
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The 340B drug pricing program in Michigan: A brief for legislators
The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program allows safety-net providers to buy outpatient drugs at reduced prices and reinvest the savings to serve low-income and uninsured patients. In Michigan, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers use these funds to sustain vital services—from behavioral health and maternity care to discounted prescriptions. While widely used, the program continues to draw debate around transparency, …
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Access to health care in Michigan: A brief for legislators
The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) has released an issue brief focused on access to health care. The brief, titled “Access to Health Care in Michigan,” describes barriers that affect health care access in the state. Health insurance coverage is a central element improving access to care, but insurance coverage alone is not sufficient to ensure access. This …
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Healthcare workforce shortages in Michigan: Recommendations for recruiting and retaining talent
Like the rest of the nation, Michigan is experiencing severe workforce shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One 2023 survey showed that 86 percent of physician practices in the state reported declines in staff since the COVID-19 pandemic and another showed 27,000 hospital job openings in early 2023 – a 13 percent vacancy rate. Nearly all health roles are expected …
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