The research, scholarship, and community work conducted at the School of Public Health disseminates valuable information on how to live healthy lives and keep those around them safe. While COVID-19 continued to dominate the news, researchers at the School of Public Health ramped up their research into the virus as well as the long-haul symptoms. They also helped communities learn about healthy and sustainable diets, environmental risks from contaminants throughout the state, and how to get children safely back to youth athletic programs. Additionally, a new multidisciplinary initiative launched this year at the school will lead to meaningful studies into improving health and equity in cities and preventing firearm injuries.

Here are the top public health stories from 2021:

Small Changes in Diet Could Help You Live Healthier, More Sustainably

Through a study that analyzed more than 5,800 foods, researchers found that eating a hot dog can take 36 minutes off your healthy life, but eating a serving of nuts can help you gain 26 extra minutes of healthy life. The study ranked foods by their nutritional disease burden to humans and their impact on the environment.

Severe COVID-19 May Be Linked to Long-Haul Symptoms

As COVID-19 continued to spread, researchers and public health experts continued to study whether the severity of an infection was linked to longer-term symptoms. They found that people who experienced severe illness from COVID-19 do have a higher prevalence of persistent symptoms, highlighting the urgency to characterize and treat long-haulers—people who experience lingering symptoms months after diagnosis.

Michigan Public Health To Tackle Major Public Health Issues Through Multidisciplinary Initiative

In October, the School of Public Health announced a $1 million investment to establish a new Public Health IDEAS initiative—Interdisciplinary Discovery, Engagement + Actions for Society—to advance research and engagement in key areas and achieve meaningful, lasting impact. The school selected creating healthy and equitable cities and preventing firearm injuries as the two initial priorities.

Researchers To Track Cancer Risk From Environmental Exposures With $13M Grant

Researchers from the School of Public Health and Rogel Cancer Center are studying how much Michigan residents are exposed to environmental contaminants, such as PFAS from industrial pollution, and what it means for their risk of developing cancer. The program, called MI-CARES, or Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, is funded through a $13 million grant from the National Cancer Institute.

Safer Play: How 90,000 Michigan Soccer Players Went Back To Playing The Sport They Love

Amid the pandemic, many tournaments and other athletic competitions had to be canceled. Earlier this year, a collaboration between U-M and the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association helped get 90,000 soccer players back on the field, playing the sport they love while practicing pandemic precautions.