Words such as ‘dementia’ or ‘Alzheimer’s’ can conjure images of confusion and solitude. A growing group of people with dementia say there’s still a lot of living and laughter.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
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New Medicaid benefit for some Michigan patients: Better food
Healthier meals for some low-income Michiganders are part of a “food as medicine” effort and theoretically cut overall health care costs, according to some experts.
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Whooping cough cases skyrocket in Michigan, as vaccinations decline
A potentially deadly disease in infants, whooping cough — pertussis — has exploded in Michigan this year, in part because of decreased vaccination rates.
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New for 2025: A cap on drug prices for nearly 2 million older Michiganders
Portions of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which called for a reduction in drug prices, continue to click into place, including a $2,000 cap in 2025 for some Medicare beneficiaries. But there are limits.
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As holiday hugs and coughs await, only 1 in 4 Michiganders has taken flu shot
Michigan lags the national average for flu shots, with rates falling for the fourth year in a row this flu season
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Michigan outlines plan to reduce new HIV infections 90% by 2030
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services releases a plan to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030.
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How older Michiganders landed in Medicaid plan aimed at family planning
A limited benefit plan that launched just more than a year ago covers Michiganders who are no longer eligible for Medicaid and would have otherwise lost coverage altogether
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Equine therapy: Horses help Michigan youth cope with mental health crises
Connecting with a horse creates a ‘more welcoming’ atmosphere for adolescents than traditional therapy, one expert says. It can help young people learn how to overcome fears and communicate more effectively.
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Is your Michigan water fluoridated? Here’s what the research says about it
From brown teeth in Colorado to a national experiment in Grand Rapids, research once led to widespread acceptance of US fluoridated water. Decades later, some say it’s time to rethink that approach.
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Walking pneumonia on the rise in Michigan. What to know
Cases of walking pneumonia, a bacterial infection, have been on the rise in Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.